Massachusetts Emergency Food Assistance Program
The Massachusetts Emergency Food Assistance Program (MEFAP) enables the Food Bank Coalition of Massachusetts—The Greater Boston Food Bank, The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, The Merrimack Valley Food Bank, and The Worcester County Food Bank—to purchase a consistent supply of the basics of a healthy diet, to be distributed at no cost to families in need through its statewide network of 900 community food program partners. MEFAP-distributed food represented 31% of the overall total pounds distributed by the four Massachusetts food banks in FY25, or 41.3 million meals. This food feeds people in all 351 cities and towns in the Commonwealth. Additionally, MEFAP stimulates our local economy. In FY25, more than half of the funds supported Massachusetts farmers, fisheries, food manufacturers and producers. Last year, we are celebrating 30 Years of Impact for the program! Learn more about MEFAP in our most recent report publication, the MEFAP FY24 Annual Report.
Call to Action
During a time of fiscal and political uncertainty, we need MEFAP more than ever before. The Food Bank Coalition of Massachusetts is advocating $58M in MEFAP funding in the FY27 state budget, read our letter to the governor here.
Collectively, the food banks have experienced a significant rise in neighbors needing food assistance from our community food assistance partners.
Worcester County Food Bank and the Food Bank of Western MA saw an 18 percent and 7 percent increase, respectively, in average people served monthly from 2023-2024 to 2024-2025, prior to cuts to SNAP.
Call or email your State Representative and State Senator to ask that they include $58M for MEFAP in their FY27 state budget priorities!
MEFAP is needed now more than ever. In early 2025, the federal government slashed USDA funding, cutting key food purchasing grants for Massachusetts by $4 million. This was followed by the devastating enactment of H.R1—the One Big Beautiful Bill Act in July. This new federal law will significantly reduce food assistance benefits and health care access. Up to 160,000 Massachusetts residents are at risk of losing SNAP benefits and will likely turn to local food pantries to get the food they need. Then, in November, for the first time in the history of the SNAP program, benefit recipients did not receive funds for nearly two weeks due to the federal government shutdown. Community food providers across GBFB’s service area reported an influx of families struggling to put food on their tables.
Throughout this challenging year, Massachusetts food banks are grateful for the Commonwealth’s commitment to this powerful program. We need your support as we advocate for increased funding in a time of decreased federal funding and growing need.
How to Advocate for MEFAP:
- Sign up to receive Action Alerts during critical stages of the Massachusetts budget process
- MEFAP One-Pager
- Map of MEFAP Food Vendors
- MEFAP Testimony and Call Script
- Follow and tweet #MEFAPMatters on Twitter
MEFAP Annual Report
Read about our 2023 MEFAP Roadshow
