The Greater Boston Food Bank Receives $500,000 Grant from the Massachusetts Department of Agriculture (MDAR) to Enhance Food Security Infrastructure
For Immediate Release
The Greater Boston Food Bank Receives $500,000 Grant from the Massachusetts Department of Agriculture (MDAR) to Enhance Food Security Infrastructure
Boston, MA (July 20, 2023)– The Greater Boston Food Bank (GBFB) is pleased to announce that it has been awarded a $500,000 Food Security Infrastructure Grant (FSIG) as part of the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s $26.3 million investment in grants to improve food security and resiliency across Massachusetts. The grant will enable GBFB to make significant capital improvements to its Boston facility, enhancing warehouse efficiencies and ensuring the continued, consistent, high-volume distribution of healthy foods across Eastern Massachusetts to approximately 70% of the Commonwealth’s food insecure population.
The FSIG program was created during the COVID-19 pandemic to provide grants for capital infrastructure investments that increase access to locally produced food for families and individuals with limited access to food. The program also seeks to ensure that farmers, fishers, and other local food producers are better connected to a strong, resilient food system to help mitigate future supply chain issues.
With a 59% increase in food distribution since March 2020, GBFB now provides food to over 600,000 people through its network of 600 food distribution partners in 190 cities and towns each month. The lingering impact of the pandemic, rising food costs due to inflation, and an end of pandemic benefits have led to an unabated, continuing demand for the nutritious food GBFB provides. Recent research published by GBFB in collaboration with Mass General Brigham demonstrates one in three people in MA are facing food insecurity.
To meet this elevated need, GBFB’s warehouse and operations teams require capital improvements and technological upgrades to operate efficiently under the strain. GBFB’s 14-year-old facility will undergo six systems and equipment enhancements to optimize throughput and maximize the safe distribution of fresh and perishable foods in larger quantities than ever before.
Left to right: Matt Ackerman: GBFB Assistant Manager of Logistics, Frank Gorman: GBFB Assistant Vice President of Warehousing & Logistics, Governor Maura Healey, and Lyndsey Haight, Executive Director of Our Neighbor’s Table, a GBFB partner agency that also received an FSIG grant. Governor Healey announced the grant awardees in Chicopee, MA, on July 20th.
These improvements will have an immediate and lasting impact on GBFB’s efforts to distribute over 100 million pounds of nutritious food annually throughout Eastern Massachusetts, including increasing amounts of fresh produce, dairy, and protein.
“We are grateful for the support from the Food Security Infrastructure Grant, which will enable us to enhance our facility’s capabilities and meet the growing demand for healthy food in our community,” said Catherine D’Amato, GBFB President and CEO. “With these capital improvements and technological upgrades, and with the continued support from our donors we can continue to provide essential nourishment to those in need and work towards a hunger-free Massachusetts. Reducing food insecurity in our Commonwealth will only be possible through government support like this grant and continued public commitment to raise funds to support us in distributing food across Eastern Massachusetts.”
To support GBFB, click here.
About The Greater Boston Food Bank
The Greater Boston Food Bank (GBFB) is the largest hunger-relief organization in New England and among the largest food banks in the country. As the food bank for Eastern Massachusetts, GBFB is feeding people in 190 towns across the region, distributing the equivalent of nearly 90 million meals through a network of 600 dedicated food distribution partners and programs. A member of the national Feeding America network, GBFB’s mission is to end hunger here. The organization remains committed to the belief that access to healthy food is a human right regardless of an individual’s circumstances. Through policy, partnerships, and providing free, nutritious, and culturally responsive food, GBFB is committed to addressing the root causes of food insecurity while promoting racial, gender and economic equity in food access. For more information and to help us help others, visit us at GBFB.org, follow us on Facebook, Twitter (@gr8bosfoodbank) and Instagram, or call us at 617-427-5200.