The Taste of New England

The Greater Boston Food Bank runs on community support. This commitment to our mission allows the food bank to distribute everything needed for a delicious Thanksgiving dinner every year. And not worrying about what to feed their families will allow individuals to do what holidays are for – creating warm memories with their loved ones!

This is one of the reasons our partnership with local farms, like New England Apple Products (NEAP) and Carlson Orchards in Harvard, MA, is so special. Thanks to NEAP and Carlson Orchards, the Greater Boston Food Bank has received hundreds of gallons of fresh, Massachusetts-grown apple cider to distribute to our community. This past year, they matched all of the food bank’s apple cider purchased for Thanksgiving with a donation – that’s 17,280 half gallons of donated cider for families across Eastern Massachusetts!

“What’s New England in the fall without apple cider?” Frank Carlson asks. He’s one of three brothers who have maintained the Carlson Orchards farm their parents began in 1936.

He feels honored to be able to support Thanksgiving meal efforts, “We love this partnership, GBFB allows us to reach so many people in need for the holidays.”

Brian Morrill, Senior Manager of Food Donations at GBFB shares, ” This farm cares about the integrity of farming, and you can taste it in their product. It means so much to be able to give this to the families in need during the holiday season.”