GBFB Applauds the MA State Legislature for Prioritizing Hunger-Relief Investments in FY26 Budget

The Greater Boston Food Bank

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

GBFB Applauds the MA State Legislature for Prioritizing Hunger-Relief Investments in FY26 Budget

BOSTON (July 1, 2025) On Monday, the Massachusetts Legislature passed the Conference Committee’s Fiscal Year 2026 state budget for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, sending it to the Governor’s desk for passage. The Greater Boston Food Bank (GBFB) applauds the Legislature for putting forth a food-secure budget for the residents of Massachusetts at a time when Congress considers cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Medicaid—critical food and healthcare lifelines for millions of food-insecure Massachusetts residents. We also thank the Healey-Driscoll administration for standing up against proposed cuts to these federal programs and for seeking to pass this state budget with historic investments in food security, including:

  • $180 million for School Meals for All
  • $49.5 million for the Massachusetts Emergency Food Assistance Program (MEFAP)
  • $500,000 for the Hunger Free Campus Initiative
  • $20 million for the Healthy Incentives Program (HIP)
  • $15.5 million to bolster the federal Special Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
  • Additional funding for local anti-hunger initiatives across the state

GBFB is immensely grateful for the legislative leaders Senate President Karen Spilka (D-Ashland), Speaker Ron Mariano (D-Quincy), Chairman Michael Rodrigues (D-Westport), Chairman Aaron Michlewitz (D-Boston), Vice Chairwoman Jo Comerford (D-Northampton), Vice Chairwoman Ann-Margaret Ferrante (D-Gloucester), Senator Patrick O’Connor (R-Weymouth), and Representative Todd Smola (R-Warren).

Hunger is a big problem—and big problems demand big solutions. Far too many people continue to grapple with the unprecedented need for food assistance due to the high cost of housing and food. Fully funding these hunger-relief programs are critical to supporting the work that GBFB and our partners do to ensure that the 1 in 3 people facing food insecurity in Massachusetts are empowered to live more productive and healthy lives.

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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