The Greater Boston Food Bank Responds to the Rise in Hunger with $6.3 Million Investment in Additional Food and Infrastructure Grants

GBFB to invest additional $5 million in food in 2026 and distribute over $1.3 million in grants to expand capacity at local food pantries and meal programs; Investment follows 140,000-person decline in SNAP participation in Massachusetts since new eligibility requirements took effect. 

(BOSTON, MA) June 12, 2026– In response to the rise in hunger, The Greater Boston Food Bank (GBFB), the largest hunger‑relief organization in New England, is announcing the investment of $6.3 million to infuse its local partners with more food and capacity building grants.  

GBFB will allocate $5 million to purchase more food, bringing its total food spend in 2026 to a record of nearly $65 million. Of the $5 million, GBFB will use $3.3 million to purchase more healthy food that will be available to its more than 600 Agency Partners across Eastern Massachusetts. The remaining $1.7 million will be provided to more than 370 Agency Partners to buy food locally. With this additional food purchasing investment, GBFB expects to be able to distribute over 94 million meals in 2026, which is about 260,000 per day and approximately 2 million more meals than the food bank distributed last year.  

GBFB is also announcing the distribution of over $1.3 million in Community Investment Grants to 88 food pantries and meal programs across its Eastern Massachusetts service area, strengthening the capacity of GBFB’s local Agency Partners. The grant funding will support 10 transportation improvements, over 30 refrigeration and storage upgrades, which reflects the demand for more fresh produce, eggs and dairy, over 10 technology investments, and over 30 other operational grants to support safe and efficient food delivery. Since 2013, GBFB has distributed more than $12 million in infrastructure grants to its Agency Partners, reflecting the organization’s long‑standing commitment to capacity‑building and equitable food access. 

“Families need our help now more than ever – GBFB is responding with urgency and action by providing our local partners the food and funding they need to meet growing demand,” said Catherine D’Amato, President and CEO of The Greater Boston Food Bank. “As food, fuel, healthcare, and housing costs continue to rise, and new SNAP restrictions take effect, more people are finding it difficult to feed themselves and their loved ones. These investments will help ensure our local pantries have the capacity, resources, and stocked shelves needed to provide nutritious food to everyone who turns to them for help.” 

In April, GBFB and Mass General Brigham released their sixth annual report on food access in Massachusetts, which found that a record 40 percent of households experienced food insecurity in 2025. The cost of living, high inflation, and restrictions on federal assistance have resulted in more households struggling to afford food and relying on the state’s food bank network. 

In the past six months since the federal government shutdown, new SNAP eligibility rules from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act have gone into effect in Massachusetts and the number of residents receiving SNAP benefits has already decreased by 13% (about 140,000 people). GBFB’s investment in additional food purchasing and Community Investment Grants will provide essential resources to frontline organizations working on the ground to meet the increased need and support individuals and families across Eastern Massachusetts struggling with food insecurity. 

2026 Community Investment Grant awardees: 

For more information about specific grants or grantees, please reach out to GBFB at press@gbfb.org. 

About The Greater Boston Food Bank: 
The Greater Boston Food Bank (GBFB) is the largest hunger-relief organization in New England and one of the largest food banks in the country. For nearly half a century, GBFB has fueled Eastern Massachusetts’ hunger-relief system, putting nearly 90 million healthy meals on tables across the region each year. Over 600 community-based pantries and other local partners in 190 cities and towns depend on GBFB to provide access to healthy food for 600,000 people every month. GBFB is committed to the belief that access to healthy food is a human right regardless of an individual’s circumstances. Through policy, partnerships, and providing free, nutritious, and culturally responsive food, GBFB is committed to addressing the root causes of food insecurity while promoting racial, gender, and economic equity in food access. Together, we have the power to end hunger here. For more information and to help us help others, visit us at GBFB.org, follow us on Facebook, Twitter (@gr8bosfoodbank) and Instagram, or call us at 617.427.5200. 

Media Contact
Nate Hillyer
The Castle Group 
M 860.574.5507 

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