Celebrating 30 Years of MEFAP

Last month, The Greater Boston Food Bank (GBFB) was proud to host a powerful celebration marking 30 years of the Massachusetts Emergency Food Assistance Program (MEFAP) — a vital, state-funded program that has served as the backbone of our Commonwealth’s hunger-relief system since 1995. 

Held at NBBJ Design’s Boston offices, the event brought together the Food Bank Coalition of MA, –consisting of the Worcester County Food Bank, the Food Bank of Western MA, the Merrimack Valley Food Bank, and GBFB— , as well as state government partners, food security leaders, farmers, local food producers, and advocates to reflect on three decades of MEFAP’s impact and to look ahead with resolve. 

Since its founding, MEFAP has: 

• Provided more than 416 million meals across all 351 cities and towns in Massachusetts. 
• Supplied food for over 1,100 community food providers to distribute to food-insecure neighbors.
• Supported 130 Massachusetts farmers and food manufacturers. 

With rising food costs and federal nutrition programs facing cuts, the role of MEFAP has never been more critical. In FY24 alone, food banks saw a 9 percent% drop in USDA and donated food, and MEFAP helped fill that gap. 

Supporting Local, Nourishing Communities   

The speaking program featured remarks from Andrew Morehouse, Executive Director of The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts and Jean McMurray, CEO of Worcester County Food Bank. Together, they spoke on behalf of the Food Bank Coalition of Massachusetts, emphasizing regional needs, unpredictable federal funding, and major infrastructure investments across the state’s food banks that make it possible to expand MEFAP’s reach. 

Sarah Grow, Director of Advocacy and Development at The Open Door in Gloucester Shared the local pantry perspective and a story of how MEFAP has directly supported individuals in her community. 

Usha Thakrar, Executive Director of Boston Area Gleaners,  highlighted MEFAP’s focus on nutrition, noting that 96.7 percent% of MEFAP food meets the food banks’ highest nutrition standards — and how produce distributed through MEFAP has more than tripled in just the last three years. 

“MEFAP is a foundational program for our growers,” said Thakrar. “Without it, many farms would go out of business.”  

Senior Policy and Outreach Advisor at the Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen’s Alliance, Seth Rolbein, spoke to MEFAP’s positive impact on the Massachusetts fishing industry, and Mark Hintlian, Retired President & CEO of The Leavitt Corp (Teddie Peanut Butter)
dDiscussed the program’s broader economic stimulus and the value of business participation in fighting hunger.  Last year, over 50 percent% of MEFAP funds were spent with MA-based suppliers. 

Representative Christine Barber (D-Somerville) and Senator Sal DiDomenico (D-Everett) underscored MEFAP’s value by highlighting its role in promoting public health and food access, advocating for full funding in the FY26 budget. 

“As a state, we have stepped up to support farmers and fisheries and food-insecure individuals—even when the funding may not be there at the federal level,” remarked MA Department of Agriculture Resources Commissioner Ashley Randle.  

Advocacy in Action   

Following the celebration, nearly 70 advocates visited nearly 80 legislative offices at the State House to thank lawmakers and urge support for the food banks’ FY26 budget request of $55.5 million for MEFAP. This investment is essential to sustain our work and uphold the shared values that MEFAP represents: equity, dignity, and the belief that food is a human right. 

“We can all agree that no one should ever be hungry in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts,” said Catherine D’Amato, GBFB’s President and CEO, said in closing. “We are at a time in our history that’s not like any other—we must continue to stand up for those who are hungry.” 

Thank You   

We are grateful to all the speakers, advocates, and legislators who joined us — and to the thousands across the Commonwealth who continue to support MEFAP’s mission every day. Together, we’re building a stronger, healthier, hunger-free Massachusetts.

Want to learn more about MEFAP at GBFB?

Read the FY24 Annual MEFAP Report.