BOSTON — Of the 349 local governments represented at the 45th Annual Massachusetts Municipal Association Meeting and Trade Show on Friday morning, the City of Lynn was one of the three municipalities honored with the Kenneth E. Pickard Municipal Innovation Award.
Before a standing-room-only crowd of roughly 350, MMA President and Lexington Select Board member Jill Hai announced that the City of Lynn would be honored with the award for the creation and success of the city’s greatest weapon in the war against hunger — the Phoenix Food Hub.
“This is to recognize municipalities that have shown unique and creative programs and projects to increase the effectiveness of local government,” Hai said.
The Towns of Brewster and Wakefield also received the award for their innovative disposable plastic bottle reduction and human resources expansion programs, respectively.
Since its inception in fall 2022, the 7,200-square-foot Phoenix Food Hub — a collaboration between 14 organizations across the city that bring together food resources for individuals and families — has served free meals to an average of 1,900 consumers each week.
The hub’s state-of-the-art teaching kitchen, Lynn Mayor Jared Nicholson’s Office reports, has provided cooking lessons to approximately 500 residents.
“It’s a tremendous honor for the city and all of our partners — it’s a really collaborative effort,” Nicholson said. “We’re grateful for the recognition and the tireless work of the Phoenix Food Hub to make a positive impact on our residents through health, food, and nutrition.”
The two-day MMA Meeting and Trade Show, a major destination for local government leaders in the Commonwealth, kicked off with speeches from a number of speakers, including Gov. Maura Healey and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll, who announced a number of new initiatives aimed at supporting Massachusetts communities.
Healey said her administration plans to raise the ceilings on local lodging taxes, motor vehicle excise taxes, and meals taxes in order to give municipalities the option of increasing their tax revenue streams. She also outlined a number of plans to create pipelines to federal funding for local government school, housing, and infrastructure projects and programs.
“We all share the same commitment that each and every one of our great 351 cities and towns has the opportunity to be all that they can be for their residents,” Healey said.
