Seasonal Bounty from Local Farmers Provides Fresh Produce to People in Need

Earth Month is a great opportunity to reflect on how we can care for our environment—and the food on our plates is a big part of that. At The Greater Boston Food Bank (GBFB), one small but impactful action we take is providing more locally-grown produce to our Eastern Massachusetts community.  

Often, the fruits and vegetables available for purchase in stores arrive from thousands of miles away, introducing environmental costs. Excess greenhouse gases are produced by packaging, transporting, and refrigerating produce across long distances. When we purchase food from local farmers, we reduce our carbon footprint.   

GBFB is able to purchase local foods thanks to private donations, and critically, through a public program called the Massachusetts Emergency Food Assistance Program (MEFAP). Funded by the state, MEFAP enables the Commonwealth’s four food banks to purchase healthy food for our clients. A key element of this program is the reinvestment of funds into the local economy. Approximately 50 percent of all MEFAP funds are used to purchase from Massachusetts farmers and vendors. 

Through MEFAP, GBFB is able to advance access to local produce, help people experiencing food insecurity, and support the local food system while reducing the carbon emissions from transporting produce across long distances.  

“Every day on our farm, we see what it takes to grow food that families rely on. MEFAP and our partnership with the Food Bank Coalition of Massachusetts have made it possible for us to do that work with pride and purpose. Because we have a dependable outlet for our produce, we can keep a year-round crew, invest in growing more storage crops, and extend our season so fresh, local food reaches families long after the summer harvest,” says Will McKinstry, owner of McKinstry Farms in Chicopee, MA.  

He adds: “This program [MEFAP] doesn’t just move food—it supports the people who grow it, the people who eat it, and the connection between Massachusetts farms and the communities they serve. That’s why it means so much to us.” 

This Earth Month, join us in celebrating MEFAP and how it supports local agriculture and helps make farm-to-table food a reality for our neighbors facing food insecurity.