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What is America's Second Harvest?
America's Second Harvest is a network of food banks across the United States. The Greater Boston Food Bank is an America's Second Harvest affiliate and follows the rules and regulations set forth by America's Second Harvest.
What types of agencies are eligible to become members of The Greater Boston Food Bank?
The Greater Boston Food Bank partners with agencies that are classified as either Emergency Food Providers (EFP’s) or Non-Emergency Food providers. Guidelines for these classifications are below.
Emergency Food Providers are programs that distribute bags/boxes of groceries and/or prepare meals on-site to serve to recipients who are in need on a monthly basis. There are three classifications of Emergency Food Providers (EFPs).
Pantries: provide groceries on at least a monthly basis to those in need of one- time emergency or occasional food assistance.
Soup Kitchens: Cook and serve a meal or meals to walk- in guests on a scheduled basis, at least monthly.
Emergency Shelters: Short-term residential programs that cook and serve meals to clients who stay less than 6 months, and are otherwise homeless.
What are Non-Emergency Food Providers?
Non-Emergency Food Providers are programs that distribute bags/boxes of groceries and/or prepare meals on-site to serve to recipients who are in need on a monthly basis. There are three classifications of Non-Emergency Food Providers (Non-EFPs).
Non-Emergency After School Youth program.
Non-Emergency Day Care (Can be for adults or children).
Non-Emergency Long Term Residence, where clients are not otherwise homeless and/or the average length of stay is greater than 6 months. This includes but is not limited to group homes and long term transitional shelters.
How much does the food cost at the Food Bank?
Eligible and qualifying agencies (EFP's) will be able to receive MEFAP and/or USDA foods at no cost. All agencies are eligible to receive Donated Food at a shared maintenance fee of $0.18 per pound. This is an assessed handling cost that helps pay for transportation and storage. In addition we offer Co-op items that are purchased for the agencies by The Food Bank and sold to agencies at The Food Bank’s cost, plus a 12% handling fee.
NO COST ITEMS: Bread, Fresh Produce, Dairy & Some Perishable Items.
What is USDA/TEFAP? How do I get it? Am I eligible?
The term “USDA” refers to the type of foods available through The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP). TEFAP is a federal food distribution program sponsored by The United States Department of Agriculture. USDA-donated foods are distributed at no cost to approved distribution sites via various food banks.
To be eligible you must be an emergency food provider as defined above.
For more information, please see the USDA section, located in the Food Bank Resources section of this website for more details or contact the Member Services Associate Monitor at 617-427-5200 ext. 5062.
What is MEFAP food? How do I get it? Am I eligible?
The term "MEFAP" refers to the type of foods available through the Massachusetts Emergency Food Assistance Program (MEFAP). MEFAP is a state-funded program administered by The Greater Boston Food Bank. The Food Bank uses the funds to purchase foods that are distributed on an “agency choice” basis to all eligible emergency food providers and to sponsor nutrition education initiatives. The MEFAP program is a supplementary food assistance program in nature and is not intended to cover all the needs of an agency.
The goal of MEFAP is to provide food assistance and nutrition education to citizens in need in the Commonwealth. This provides a consistent supply of quality, nutrient-dense foods and nutrition education to the statewide network of emergency food providers: pantries, soup kitchens, transitional houses and shelters.
Please see the MEFAP Eligibility Information, located in the Food Bank Resources section of this website for more details.
Do I have to come into Boston to pick up my food?
No, agencies may take part in our satellite distribution (or Drop) program. Drop sites, days and times are listed below in this section. Please call Member Services at 617-598-5000 for more information.
What are the hours of The Greater Boston Food Bank?
Boston Warehouse Shipping Hours:
Monday 9:00am to 3:30pm, Tuesday through Friday 8:30am to 3:30pm
Boston Office Hours:
8:00AM - 4:00 PM
Satellite Distribution Hours:
Harwich: 1st, 2nd & 3rd Wednesdays-10:00am to 2:45pm
Natick: 2nd Thursday & 4th Wednesday - 9:45am to 2:30pm
New Bedford: 2nd Tuesday- 10:00am to 12:00pm
Middleboro: 4th Tuesday - 9:15am to 2:30pm
Salem: 3rd Thursday - 9:45am to 2:00pm
Taunton: 2nd, 3rd & 4th Mondays - 9:30am to 3:00pm
All holidays and closed days will be listed on the Message Board section of the online ordering main screen. Satellite distribution dates may change due to Holidays.
Do you deliver?
We do not deliver directly to agencies. The Drop program has been designed to get food closer to agencies in farther away counties (current drop locations: Harwich, Middleboro, Natick, New Bedford, Salem and Taunton). The American Red Cross and Project Bread operate a delivery service for emergency food providers. Please see the Food Drive for the Hungry Rules and Regulations, located in the Outside Resources section of this website for more information.
How do I know what types of foods are right for my clients?
Deciding on what foods to buy will always be a challenge. The Greater Boston Food Bank can help you make the right food purchasing decisions for your clientele. The Food Bank offers nutrition consults and workshops to all our Member Agencies. To find out more, please call our Nutrition Department at 617-427-5200.
What do I do if I don’t know what a product is, or don’t understand the product description?
Please call Member Services at 617-598-5000 and ask! We will be happy to describe any product for you.
How do I sign up for Shopper Orientation?
Please call Member Services at 617-598-5000 to pre-register or for available dates and times. Orientation dates are also listed on the Message Board section of the online ordering main screen. Please see the Member Agency Shopper Orientation Process & Information section, located in the Food Bank Resources section of this website for more details. Only GBFB Member Agencies in good standing can sign up for Member Agency Shopper Orientation.
What is Second Helping?
Second Helping, a food rescue program, is a project of The Greater Boston Food Bank. The program delivers surplus prepared foods from hotels, restaurants, corporate cafeterias, caterers, schools and other food service establishments directly to GBFB Member Agency meals programs throughout the greater Boston area. Second Helping has been safely collecting and distributing donated food since 1989. For more information on Second Helping or other GBFB programs, please contact our Programs Asst. Manager at 617-427-5200 ext. 5029.
I know of an agency that would like to become a Member Agency of The Greater Boston Food Bank. How do I sign them up?
Anyone interested in more information about becoming a Member Agency should go to the "Becoming a Member Agency" section of this website.
How do I volunteer?
Please call the Volunteer Assistant at 617-427-5200 ext. 5096. For more information on volunteer opportunities, or donations, please see the Volunteering section of this web site.
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