Mass General Brigham Awards $9 Million to Combat Food and Nutrition Insecurity in Greater Boston

With food insecurity rising across Massachusetts, Mass General Brigham is investing $9 million through its Community Health Impact Funds (CHIF) to strengthen the network of regional food suppliers and expand access to healthy, locally grown foods across Boston, Chelsea, Revere and Winthrop. 

This includes $2 million in new awards to local organizations, $1 million in prior funding to The Greater Boston Food Bank (GBFB), $3 million to expand cold storage infrastructure through the YMCA of Greater Boston and an additional $3 million to the North Suffolk Food Security Collaborative and La Colaborativa. The grant will support long-term changes that make food systems stronger and more accessible. Projects are expected to begin later this year, reshaping how food is sourced, distributed, and sustained. 

This effort builds on priorities identified in the 2022–2023 Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA), which found food insecurity to be one of the most pressing barriers to health in Greater Boston. Findings from Food Access in Massachusetts: The Cost of Hunger, a recent report from Mass General Brigham and the Greater Boston Food Bank, show just how urgent the need is: more than 2 million adults in Massachusetts experienced food insecurity in 2024, with Suffolk County among the hardest hit areas.  

“These investments are data-driven and community-informed, building on what we learned through our Community Health Needs Assessment and joint food access report with the Greater Boston Food Bank,” said Elsie Taveras, MD, MPH, Chief Community Health and Health Equity Officer at Mass General Brigham. “By addressing food access at its root through policy, systems, and environmental strategies, we can support healthy diets, reduce chronic disease, and improve access for families facing the greatest economic barriers.” 

“This is the first time so many food access organizations across the region have come together in this way,” said Tracy Sylven, Regulatory Director, Community Health at Mass General Brigham. “This collaborative effort addresses long-standing gaps in the food system by investing in the infrastructure and relationships needed to make healthy food more accessible and sustainable.” 

Access to healthy foods 

Six organizations received $2 million to bring healthy, Massachusetts-grown produce into more homes. They represent a range of approaches — from school nutrition teams and mobile markets to urban farms and food pantries — each playing a critical role in delivering fresh food where it's needed most. 

The awardees are: 

• Boston Area Gleaners 
• YMCA of Greater Boston 
• Stratford Street United Church dba Rose’s Bounty Food Pantry 
• Food and Nutrition Services, Boston Public Schools 
• Eastie Farm Inc. 
• Fresh Truck

“In times of change and uncertainty, Fresh Truck has always stepped in—rapid response, innovation, and community care are in our DNA,” said Annie Gibbons, Executive Director of Fresh Truck. “This grant ensures we can do even more of what we do best: get fresh, affordable, high-quality produce directly to the Boston communities who need it most.” 

Policy and system change 

Through investments in infrastructure, coordination, and community-led advocacy, four organizations are building system-level strategies that strengthen the regional food system that supports health and increases access to healthy food across Greater Boston. 

The awardees are: 

• Greater Boston Food Bank 
• YMCA of Greater Boston 
• North Suffolk Food Security Collaborative 
• La Colaborativa

“For decades, La Colaborativa has worked to eliminate hunger, address food insecurity, and improve public health through a regional ecosystem of innovative resources,” said Gladys Vega, President of La Colaborativa. “We’re grateful to Mass General Brigham for this investment, which will help us scale our community-based food-as-medicine model and further alleviate hunger, promote health, and improve residents’ quality of life.” 

Community Health Impact Funds 

The CHIF are part of a broader $62 million investment launched through Massachusetts General Hospital to support upstream, community-led strategies that improve health outcomes and advance equity in four focus areas: food and nutrition security, affordable housing, mental and behavioral health, and economic stability and mobility. 

“These historic awards reflect Mass General Brigham’s commitment to fostering healthier communities by investing in and partnering with community organizations to address upstream, social determinants of health. We can make a measurable and lasting impact on health outcomes across our region.” said Taveras.