The Greater Boston Food Bank

A recent Bay State Banner article highlighted the findings from our fourth annual statewide study, Food Equity and Access in Massachusetts: Voices and Solutions from Lived Experience. The article emphasizes that food insecurity in Massachusetts remains high, with one-third of households affected in 2023. It also highlights the persistence of stark racial disparities, with 51% of Black and 56% of Hispanic households facing food insecurity compared to 30% of white households. Yet, while efforts like universal school meals and food insecurity screenings show promise, more action is needed. Read more at https://lnkd.in/eusNrkAB

This week’s star from the Massachusetts Emergency Food Assistance Program (MEFAP) is the delicious and nutritious Green Pepper! These vibrant veggies are not only sweet in taste but also packed with antioxidants, vitamin C, and B6. Thanks to MEFAP, we are thrilled to distribute over 6,400 pounds of these green peppers each month to our community. Talk about sweet! Incorporate these peppers into your meals for a healthy boost and savor the flavor knowing you’re supporting local efforts to end hunger here. Together, we’re making a difference one pepper at a time!

For the past five years, GBFB has joined forces with BJ’s Charitable Foundation to deliver over 4.1 million pounds of food to communities throughout Eastern Massachusetts. This partnership, alongside our extensive network of partner agencies, has enabled us to provide a diverse array of fresh produce, dairy, meat, and bakery items to children and families in need, all while helping to reduce food waste. Now, with summer in full swing, many children in our community face the challenge of not having enough to eat due to the absence of free school meals. To fill the gaps, GBFB and BJ’s Charitable Foundation are working together to ensure that kids across Eastern MA have access to nutritious meals all summer long. And thanks to BJ’s Charitable Foundation, every dollar donated from now until the end of August will be matched, up to the first $250,000 received! That means that your contribution will have DOUBLE the impact, providing even more healthy meals for children and families facing food insecurity today. Learn more about how we partner with BJ’s here: https://lnkd.in/eFtdi-S5

Today, we honor and celebrate the legalization of gay marriage in The United States. While we have made much progress, we still have miles to go. For more than half of the state’s LGBTQ+ community, food on the table isn’t always a given. Hunger is not a temporary emergency—it’s an ongoing crisis in Massachusetts. According to our fourth annual statewide report, focusing investments on food pantries that serve LGBTQ+ communities could improve food equity and access. Read the report to learn more about the state of hunger in the Commonwealth: https://lnkd.in/edqd_Gks #FeedingEasternMA#EndHungerHere#FoodInsecurity

After 14 incredible years with GBFB, our Vice President of Finance, Tom Lacey, is retiring! Tom’s dedication and passion for our mission to end hunger here have been truly inspiring. His financial expertise and compassionate leadership have helped GBFB expand our reach, optimize our resources, and impact even more neighbors across Eastern MA. It is with gratitude and joy that we say farewell and congratulations to Tom. Happy Retirement!

Did you know that The Greater Boston Food Bank provides SNAP application assistance? Our team of experts can help navigate the approval process and answer any questions your community members or clients may have. For contact information and access to our online referral form, check out the link below. #SNAP #foodsecurity

Join us at Fenway Park Friday June 28 and Saturday June 29 as GBFB partners with the Boston Red Sox to raise awareness and funds to end hunger here in Eastern Massachusetts. Let's come together to ensure our neighbors have access to healthy meals. ⚾🍽️ Can't make it to the game but still want to support? You can still strike out hunger at www.gbfb.org/RedSox #GBFB #RedSox #EndHungerHere #StrikeOutHunger

Meet Nikira Hernandez, Senior Minister at Brighton Allston Congregational Church, and Executive Director of the Allston Brighton Food Pantry. Nikira embodies dedication to community care. Their vision extends beyond mere sustenance – it's about nourishing souls and fostering inclusivity. Pastor Nikira Hernandez reflects on their legacy of service with pride, emphasizing their commitment to serving everyone, including LGBTQ neighbors. They also express gratitude for GBFB's support, which has enabled the pantry to expand their services and reach more people experiencing food insecurity in their neighborhood. "My hope for the future is that this program doesn't exist anymore because it doesn't need to exist," Pastor Hernandez shares. "But until then, we'll keep showing up, serving our community with love and compassion, one meal at a time.” Thank you, Nikira, for all the hard work you do to ensure our neighbors don’t go hungry. Together, we have the power to end hunger here. Watch Here: https://lnkd.in/eKJDwRMG

Exciting news from our Produce Guy, Russ! This week’s produce of the week is…plantains from the Massachusetts Emergency Food Assistance Program (MEFAP)! Thanks to MEFAP, GBFB moves between 8500 to 9000 pounds of plantains each week. These versatile fruits can be made into crispy chips, a delicious mash, or deep fried and made into golden, crunchy tostones! Check out one of GBFB’s favorite ways to make plantains on our recipe website, Click ‘N Cook https://lnkd.in/eMBXG9vx And don’t forget to stay tuned for more of Russ’ a-peeling picks in next week’s produce of the week!

This past month, GBFB awarded nearly $1 million in Community Investment Grants to 45 hunger-relief organizations across Eastern Massachusetts. These grants are part of a larger strategic initiative to invest in the 190 communities GBFB serves across Eastern Massachusetts and will bolster food pantries’ services, enhance capacity, and strengthen the workforce, making a substantial impact on our state’s food system. With 1 in 3 MA residents facing food insecurity, these funds are critical to feeding our neighbors. Over the last 10+ years, we have been granting our partners funding for essential projects like purchasing new refrigerators, expanding food transportation, adding staff, upskilling the workforce, and improving infrastructure. These grants are a step towards ensuring that our partner agencies and our vast charitable food assistance network that we are powering every day have the resources they need to make a lasting impact on the lives of our neighbors. Read more about this year’s recipients here: https://lnkd.in/eMKFmbZ2 Acord Food Pantry, Allston-Brighton Food Pantry, Angels Anonymous, BEDFORD COMMUNITY TABLE-PANTRY INC, BOSTON MISSIONARY BAPTIST COMMUNITY CENTER INC, Centre Street Food Pantry, CHARITY GUILD INC, Duxbury Lions Club - Duxbury Food Pantry, DWELLING HOUSE OF HOPE INC, East End House, Inc., Food For Free, Franklin Food Pantry, Inc., Hockomock Area YMCA, La Colaborativa, MY BROTHERS TABLE INC, PLYMOUTH AREA COALITION FOR THE HOMELESS, People Acting in Community Endeavors, Rosie's Place, The Salem Pantry, Food 4 All pantry is a part of Somerville Hispanic association for community development, Somerville Homeless Coalition, The Family Pantry of Cape Cod, United Way of Tri-County, WAKEFIELD FOOD PANTRY, WALPOLE COMMUNITY FOOD PANTRY INC, Wellspring Multi-Service Centers, Weymouth Food Pantry