Taste of the Food Bank Raises Record-Breaking $1.17 Million to Help End Hunger in Eastern Massachusetts

For one night in May, The Greater Boston Food Bank transforms its state-of-the-art Yawkey Distribution Center into a vibrant culinary destination for our annual event: Taste of the Food Bank. This year’s event was held on May 14 and included food and beverage offerings from 30 of the region’s top chefs and restaurateurs. Culinary stars Jody Adams of A Street Hospitality, Tiffani Faison of Big Heart Hospitality, Cassie Piuma of Sarma, and Douglass Williams of MIDA co-chaired the gala evening and live auction. 

GBFB raised a record-breaking $1.17 million to support food security in Eastern Massachusetts, highlighting the commitment of GBFB’s sponsors, philanthropic partners, and generous donors who stand united with us in a shared belief: Together, we have the power to end hunger here. 

Over 100 million pounds of food passes through our warehouse, fueling our wide-reaching mission to end hunger in Eastern Massachusetts, but usually the public is unable to see where this incredible feat occurs. Taste of the Food Bank gives the opportunity for supporters of our mission to step foot into the 17,000-square-foot space and experience firsthand the scale of our operation. 

Guests walked around the transformed warehouse sampling roasted leg of lamb from Trade, seabass tartare from Ostra, spring dug parsnips from Fallow Kin, and olive oil ice cream from Forge With restaurant names embossed on metal street signs and a lively neighborhood atmosphere throughout, it felt like sampling flavors from towns and cities across Eastern Massachusetts.  

During the live auction, guests and supporters enthusiastically bid on a roster of curated experiences including a three-night getaway to Honolulu. The culinary-centric experience included a tour of Ko Hana Rum Agricole Distillery, an excursion to Kualoa Ranch, a relaxing spa day, and a five-course wine pairing dinner. Other enticing experiences on the auction block included two center-court tickets to a Boston Celtics game, an intimate chefs’ table dinner hosted by the Taste of the Food Bank culinary co-chairs, and cooking classes at premier Boston area culinary hotspots. 

The Greater Boston Food Bank’s annual Taste of the Food Bank gala is more than an entertaining night out. It supports GBFB and our vast network of supporters and community partners who make it possible for the food bank to distribute more than 92 million healthy meals each year to people—including families, children, and older adults—in Eastern Massachusetts who are struggling with food insecurity.