Gov. Maura Healey signs Executive Order creating a statewide Anti-Hunger Task Force (photo: Mass.gov)
When President Trump signed into law his “Big Beautiful Bill” on July 4, it brought cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and other federal food assistance, and Newton’s food pantries braced for the impact. To combat a potential statewide increase in food insecurity, Governor Maura Healey created an Anti-Hunger Task Force with the goal of preventing families across the state from going hungry. The Greater Boston Food Bank (GBFB) is one of the many members of this task force, working closely with the Newton Food Pantry, the Centre Street Food Pantry, and many others to supply families with food.
According to Kate Adams, the GBFG’s Senior Public Policy Manager, the GBFB is the largest hunger relief organization in New England, serving over 600,000 people every month. She said that 75% of SNAP participants in Massachusetts report needing additional food support on top of SNAP benefits to meet their households’ monthly needs. In response to expected increases in demand, the GBFB is working to raise more awareness of food insecurity as well as more fundraising to provide adequate food supply. “We are working very hard to ensure we meet this future demand,” Adams said. “If you are someone who is experiencing food insecurity, please know that you are not alone.”
Newton Food Pantry
Jeff Lemberg, the Executive Director of the Newton Food Pantry, says that in Newton, nearly 4,350 people receive SNAP benefits, with the city’s food insecurity rate estimated at 6%. The Newton Food Pantry is a non-profit organization that serves 2,500 Newton residents and is the largest hunger-relief operation that specifically serves the city of Newton. Over the last few months, the Newton Food Pantry has seen a significant increase in demand, with July being its busiest month in the last few years. Lemberg suspects that cuts to SNAP…