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, such as milk, eggs, peanut butter, fresh fruits, and vegetables, to be distributed at no cost to families in need through its statewide network of 850 community food program partners. MEFAP feeds people in all 351 cities and towns in Massachusetts. And this year, we are celebrating 30 Years of Impact for MEFAP!

LEARN HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT MEFAP

About MEFAP

  • MEFAP stimulates our local economy. In FY24, more than half of MEFAP funds supported Massachusetts farmers, fisheries, food manufacturers and producers.
  • 99.1% of MEFAP purchased foods meets the four Massachusetts food banks’ high nutritional standards.
  • MEFAP enables the four MA food banks to provide food to every district through over 900 food programs across the state.
  • MEFAP-distributed food represented 31% of the overall total pounds distributed by the four Massachusetts food banks in FY, or 34,268,750 meals.
  • MEFAP is administered by GBFB on behalf of the four food banks. Learn more about MEFAP in the MEFAP FY24 Annual Report.

Call to Action

The Food Bank Coalition of Massachusetts are advocating for $55.5M in MEFAP funding in the FY26 state budget. Collectively, the food banks have experienced a significant rise in neighbors need food assistance from our agency partners from 2021 through 2023 as cost of living and income inequality continue to make it hard for people to afford food. The Massachusetts food banks are grateful for the Commonwealth’s commitment to this powerful program.

Call or email your State Representative and State Senator to ask that they include $55.5M for MEFAP in their FY26 state budget priorities! Use this email template and call script or talking points for guidance. 

How to Advocate for MEFAP:

MEFAP Annual Report

Read about our 2023 MEFAP Roadshow

Legislators, hunger-relief advocates, and agriculturalists from around the state gather among rows of rhubarb for the MEFAP roadshow stop at MEFAP vendor McKinstry Farms in Chicopee, MA.
GBFB-Teddie-Peanut-Butter-Company-Tour
Teddie Peanut Butter COO Jamie Hintlian, MDAR Program Coordinator Rose Arruda, GBFB COO Cheryl Schondek on a tour of the Teddie Peanut Butter factory, a MEFAP vendor in Everett, MA.

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