Our Mission : Nutrition
Many of our neighbors don’t have the resources to buy food that is high in nutrient value, and critical to their growth and vitality. The Greater Boston Food Bank is providing healthier food choices to those seeking food assistance.
Hunger is not just about food. Many people at risk of hunger in eastern Massachusetts don’t have the money and other resources to buy food that is high in nutrient value, and critical to their growth and vitality. Eating unhealthy food is especially harmful to children and seniors, two groups most in need of healthy meals.
The Greater Boston Food Bank partners with our member agencies to provide healthy food choices to those seeking food assistance. Utilizing an internal nutrition measurement ranking system, we’re able to make sure that at least 75% of our inventory meets the highest nutritional guidelines. These rankings are listed on our online ordering system, to assist hunger-relief agencies with choosing the best possible food for their clients.
GBFB works to communicate the importance of good nutrition to our food donors and partner agencies. We support the role of a Registered Dietitian and the position of the American Dietetic Association on food insecurity. Click here to read the details of ADA's position.
Nutrition Resources
- The American Dietetic Association is your source for trustworthy, science-based food and nutrition information.
- The Center for Science in the Public Interest is a nutrition and health advocacy organization.
- Nutrition.gov provides easy, online access to government information on food and human nutrition for consumers.
- More Matters: Tips on incorporating more fruits and vegetables into your life.
- The American Diabetes Association is the go-to site for all diabetes-related issues.
- The American Heart Association provides information about preventing heart disease and stroke.
- The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disorders conducts and supports basic and clinical research on many of the most serious diseases affecting public health.
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Food For Thought
Local manufacturers represent 28% of GBFB's acquired food. Major donors include Garelick Farms, Ken's Foods, Kettle Cuisine, Mama Rosie's, Ocean Spray, Welch's, Teddie Peanut Butter, Kayem, Pier Fish, Tribe Mediterranean, Gold Medal Bakery, Old Neighborhood, Jacobs Farms, Greencore USA, Yoplait/Columbo, Vitasoy USA, Genoa Sausage.
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Food For Thought
Donated produce represents 12% of GBFB's acquired food. As part of the Feeding America produce program, we receive half to full trailer loads of high quality produce. Frequent local donors include State Garden and Community Suffolk, and Costa Fruit & Produce.
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Food For Thought
USDA/TEFAP (Emergency Food Assistance Program) represents 19% of GBFB's acquired food. The USDA purchases food and ships it to each state. Here, it's administered by the Massachusetts Department of Education. The program includes staple commodities such as fruit juice, frozen meat, rice, canned beans, and eggs.
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Food For Thought
Coop program represents 4% of GBFB's acquired food. The program allows agencies to supplement existing inventory with highly desired items, though a cooperative purchasing program. This strategy uses our collective purchasing power to save money on food purchases so we can pass the savings on to our agencies.
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Food For Thought
Other purchased products represent 3% of GBFB's acquired food. This includes food purchased by The Food Bank and distributed for free to agencies. Also includes turkeys purchased at Thanksgiving through the online turkey drive.
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Food For Thought
Food drives represent 1% of GBFB's acquired food. These include non-perishable donations by organizations and individuals. Yearly events include Attorney General's Legal Food Frenzy, Red Sox Can and Cash Drive, Temple Beth Israel for Yom Kippur.
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Food For Thought
MEFAP (Massachusetts Emergency Food Assistance Program) represents 32% of GBFB's acquired food. Purchased food with MA state funds goes toward staple food items such as turkey, rice, peanut butter, and beans. Vendors for MEFAP include Agar, Pioneer Valley Growers Association, Our Family Farms.
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Food For Thought
Special program via retail donations are a major part of GBFB's acquired food. Over one million pounds of meat, produce and other highly desirable food donations have been generated from the retail program. Participating retailers include Shaw's, Stop & Shop, BJ's Wholesale Club, Walmart, and Hannaford's and Trader Joe's.