Issue: Spring 2026
Dear Friends,
On April 7, GBFB and Mass General Brigham released our sixth annual Statewide Food Access Report. The results are sobering: 40 percent of Massachusetts residents experienced hunger in 2025.
Food insecurity has more than doubled since 2019, reflecting the high cost of living, inflation, and federal cuts to food assistance programs. While demand is outpacing resources, the good news is that our hunger-relief network is strong. More people are relying on our food bank network and more volunteers are supporting our critical work. In fact, following the announcement of the study results, GBFB led a training for volunteers to learn how to advocate for anti-hunger policies. The advocates then headed to Beacon Hill and met with over 50 state lawmakers.
At GBFB, we’re taking action by building upon our food distribution network and continuing to
innovate. We recently launched the new Takeda Center for Community Health and Nutrition, a groundbreaking initiative to improve access to nutritious and medically-tailored foods throughout Eastern Massachusetts and ultimately help us build healthier communities. You can read more about the Takeda Center within these pages of Harvest.
We must continue to invest in hunger relief to meet the urgent and growing demand for food. Thanks to donations, public funding, advocates, and volunteers, we’re making a difference every day in the lives of our neighbors facing food insecurity.
Gratefully,
Catherine D’Amato
President and CEO
Story of Hope: Leanna in Haverhill
Paul Waber Continues His Parents’ Hunger-Relief Legacy
Read our 2026 Statewide Food Access Report
Our latest statewide study of hunger found that 40% of MA households experienced food insecurity in 2025.
Learn About the Takeda Center for Community Health and Nutrition