The Greater Boston Food Bank Raising Funds to Provide
33 Million Pounds of Fruits and Vegetables This Year
Amid Increased Grocery Prices, Cost of Living

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The Greater Boston Food Bank Raising Funds to Provide 33 Million Pounds of Fruits and Vegetables This Year Amid Increased Grocery Prices, Cost of Living

During National Nutrition Month, GBFB launches annual Spring for Meals fundraiser in partnership with Delta Air Lines; announces new recipe collaboration with New England Dairy; and celebrates their Registered Dietitian Nutritionists

(Boston, MA) February 29, 2024 – The Greater Boston Food Bank (GBFB) proudly kicks off its annual Spring for Meals fundraising campaign throughout March in support of its goal to purchase and distribute over 33 million pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables this year. All Spring for Meals campaign gifts in the month of March will be matched up to $250,000 thanks to the generosity of Delta Air Lines and an anonymous donor.

Coinciding with National Nutrition Month, Spring for Meals aims to empower everyone to have access to healthy produce, an integral part of overall health yet often too expensive for many of our neighbors to purchase on a regular basis.

The campaign comes as Massachusetts grapples with a steep cost of living, as high housing, utility and grocery prices in the Greater Boston area continue to exacerbate food insecurity. The Boston metro area experienced the fifth highest increase in grocery prices in the country, rising 6.7% from November 2022 to November 2023. GBFB’s network has seen the direct impact of these factors on food insecurity, as the number of individuals served by the average GBFB food pantry partner increased by nearly 12% from 2022 to 2023.

“The sheer cost of living in Massachusetts perpetuates a cycle of food insecurity for those who are already most disadvantaged,” said Catherine D’Amato, President & CEO of The Greater Boston Food Bank. “We continue to see our neighbors struggle to access the nutritious produce they need to thrive. A problem of this magnitude requires broad and collective solutions, and GBFB has the scale to truly make a difference alongside the generosity of our communities and partners like Delta Air Lines.”

Hunger remains a significant problem in Massachusetts as 1 in 3 adults continue to face food insecurity, according to a 2023 study from GBFB. The same study found 36% of households faced child-level food insecurity, alongside disparities in food access based on race, ethnicity, sexuality and geography. The next installment of the study will be released this spring.

GBFB has a long-standing commitment to nutrition, providing the equivalent of nearly 90 million healthy meals to Eastern Massachusetts per year with over 60% coming from the most requested categories of produce, protein, or dairy. GBFB’s Nutrition Team administers a board-approved nutrition policy that ensures that the food bank acquires and distributes food of the highest nutritional value. The team consists of two full-time registered dietitians as well as pediatrician Dr. Lauren Fiechtner, Director of Nutrition at MassGeneral Hospital for Children, who serves as GBFB’s Health and Research Advisor.

New England Dairy Recipe Collaboration

This spring also marks the start of a new collaboration with New England Dairy for GBFB’s Click ‘N Cook healthy recipe website. The collaboration will add several nutrient-dense, simple and inexpensive dairy-based recipes to the site. Click ‘N Cook, which is curated and managed by GBFB’s Nutrition Team, allows users to search for recipes based on what ingredients they already have at home.

GBFB’s dietitians believe that dairy products are an important part of a well-rounded diet. In 2023, GBFB distributed almost 7.9 million pounds of dairy products throughout its network, accounting for nearly 8% of the food bank’s total distribution. New England Dairy’s dedication to nutrition and collaboration with local farms aligns closely with GBFB’s emphasis on providing nutritious food to the Eastern Massachusetts community.

“Our New England Dairy farm families are an essential part of our New England community providing us with local nutritious dairy products and supporting health and education initiatives,” said Heidi Harkopf, MS, RD, director, nutrition programs at New England Dairy. “This collaboration with The Greater Boston Food Bank supports our shared value of feeding our local communities and helping families and individuals enjoy nutrient rich meals. Milk, cheese, and yogurt can play a key role in closing nutrient gaps including calcium, potassium, and Vitamin D.”

This month, GBFB is calling on individuals and communities across the state to help end hunger here and support its commitment to nutrition by donating at GBFB.org. Those facing hunger are encouraged to visit GBFB.org/need-food for informational resources and to search for local food assistance programs.

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. 

Media Contact

Nate Hillyer

The Castle Group

M 860.574.5507

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