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Food banks and farmers urge restoration and expansion of SNAP, MEFAP and HIP funding after federal cuts
Summary
Food‑security advocates and farmers told the committee that federal reductions and a December state benefit cap cut to the Healthy Incentives Program have sharply reduced sales and household purchasing power; the Greater Boston Food Bank and farmer witnesses urged $55.5M for MEFAP and $25M for HIP in FY26.
Food‑security organizations, food‑bank operators and farmers told the Joint Committee on Ways and Means that federal program reductions and recent state changes to benefit caps have already reduced access to healthy food and hurt sales at local farms and pantries.
The Greater Boston Food Bank asked for $55.5 million to bolster the Massachusetts Emergency Food Assistance Program (MEFAP), saying the network now serves 600,000 people per month and faces a $3.5 million federal funding loss. “MEFAP ensures that all residents, regardless of immigration status, can access nutritious food with dignity,” Kate Adams, the food bank’s senior public‑policy manager, told the committee.
Farmers and market operators urged restoration of the Healthy Incentives Program (HIP). Witnesses said the December change that capped monthly HIP benefits at $20 per household (down from a tiered $40–$80) triggered immediate sales declines at markets. “In December, when those HIP cuts took effect, we saw a 27% decrease in SNAP sales over the previous year,” vendor Kelly Hickey reported. Market managers and farms described sales drops of 30–60% in some winter months; one market reported a 59% single‑week decline in HIP‑related produce purchases following the reduction.
Advocates asked the Legislature to: (1) restore HIP to the level in effect before December 2024 and fund it at $25 million for FY26; (2) fund MEFAP at $55.5 million for FY26; and (3) consider longer‑term state investments to offset anticipated federal cuts. Lawmakers expressed concern and asked for more granular farm and food‑bank data.
Why it matters: HIP and MEFAP route state and federal funds to low‑income families and to Massachusetts farmers and food producers. Witnesses said underfunding threatens both household food security and agricultural livelihoods. A state funding boost would keep fresh produce accessible and sustain local vendors that depend on HIP sales.
Ending: Advocates warned that small increases would not fully offset federal losses and urged the committee to consider larger, sustained investments to ensure healthy food access for vulnerable households and continuity for farmers built around HIP and MEFAP.
