Massachusetts advances $4 million to food banks as SNAP benefit freeze looms

Governor Healey announced a one-month, $4,000,000 advance to Massachusetts food banks on the states Emergency Food Assistance Program to help residents affected by a freeze in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits starting this weekend.

The move comes after the governor said the U.S. Department of Agriculture was holding a contingency fund that could be used to pay SNAP benefits nationwide; Attorney General Andrea Campbell is in court seeking an order to release those funds. "We are going to advance $4,000,000 to our food banks," Healey said, explaining the money will be drawn from the Massachusetts Emergency Food Assistance Program (MEFAP) and that the advancement is intended to address an expected surge in demand.

Why it matters: About one in seven people in Massachusetts receive SNAP, Healey said, including large shares of seniors, children, people with disabilities and more than 21,000 veterans. State and nonprofit leaders warned that delays in federal benefits could rapidly increase need at food pantries and local programs and also affect small grocers and retailers that rely on SNAP revenue.

United Way of Massachusetts Bay announced donations and rapid-distribution work through its United Response Fund. "We are working to mobilize donations, connect with partners, and increase the amount of resources that we can actually put out back into the community to support folks getting access to food," said Marty Martinez of United Way of Massachusetts Bay. Martinez said the fund raised more than $1,000,000 in the last week and that the United Way planned to distribute $50,000 the next day to several small organizations, including a commitment to the Salem Food Pantry and the Boys & Girls Club of Dorchester to expand local distribution.

Project Bread said its FoodSource Hotline can help residents locate pantries, apply for SNAP and find tips for stretching food budgets. "Our team of counselors at Project Bread's Food Source hotline are real people. We are ready to listen, help, and guide you through your options," said Erin McAleer of Project Bread. Project Breads public materials also direct people to projectbread.org for additional resources and language-access support.

Catherine D'Amato of the Greater Boston Food Bank outlined the food bank network and distribution pace. "In Boston, we are putting 75 pallets more every day into the field. That's about four trailer loads of food every day out into the community across the network," D'Amato said. She noted that the four regional food banks receiving MEFAP support are the Greater Boston Food Bank, Merrimack Valley Food Bank, Worcester County Food Bank and the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts.

Businesses and food-recovery groups were urged to contribute excess food and volunteer. The governor cited one company, R4 Technologies, which pledged 10,000 pounds of fresh produce for distribution. The states Department of Agricultural Resources is also working to connect farms and food system businesses to relief efforts.

Officials emphasized the advance is for one month as the state coordinates with nonprofit partners while the attorney general pursues federal action. "It's my hope that we get a court order today, that that reestablishes the flow of SNAP benefits," Healey said.

How to get help or give help: leaders at the briefing pointed people to mass.gov/snapfreeze, unitedwaymassbay.org/united-response, projectbread.org and local food bank websites (gbfb.org, mvfb.org, foodbankwma.org) for volunteer, donation and hotline information.

Background: Speakers also noted other federal programs that could be affected by the federal funding disruption, including WIC, LIHEAP, TANF and Head Start. The attorney generals court action aims to compel USDA to release contingency funds for SNAP benefits, according to Healey.