The Greater Boston Food Bank Applauds Governor Healey for Championing Hunger Relief in 2027 State Budget
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Greater Boston Food Bank Applauds Governor Healey for Championing Hunger Relief in 2027 State Budget
Boston, MA (January 28, 2026) – Today, The Greater Boston Food Bank released the following statement applauding Governor Maura Healey for prioritizing hunger relief programs in her fiscal year 2027 state budget.
“With the federal government slashing assistance and food and other basic costs continuing to rise, more Massachusetts residents are struggling to put food on the table—Governor Healey is answering those compounding challenges with decisive leadership,” said Catherine D’Amato, GBFB President and CEO. “By strengthening critical hunger-relief programs, the Governor is ensuring that The Greater Boston Food Bank and food banks across the Commonwealth can purchase more food and reach more neighbors in need. I applaud her commitment to ending hunger and urge the Legislature to build on this progress by increasing investment in MEFAP, the Department of Transitional Assistance to support SNAP administration, and all the other critical food security initiatives.”
The Governor’s budget included the following investments in hunger-relief programs:
- Massachusetts Emergency Food Assistance Program: $55M
- Funding for Universal School Meals: $180M
- Nutrition Services Program for elders: $13.4M
- Healthy Incentives Program: $29.4M
- Hunger Free Campus Initiative: $500,000
- $5,000 tax credit for Massachusetts farmers and businesses to encourage food donation to food banks and pantries
The Greater Boston Food Bank is a member of the Food Bank Coalition of Massachusetts which requested $58 million for the MEFAP program. The Coalition’s letter to the Governor is available here.
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 over 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, X and Instagram, or call us at 617.427.5200.