Mayor Michelle Wu and the Mayor’s Office of Food Justice (OFJ) announced that 110 Boston Summer Eats meal sites are open and will run throughout the summer until September 1.
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Boston Summer Eats is an effort to close the summer food gap by making available community based meal sites at locations such as libraries, health centers, community centers, and farmers markets that are open to all youth 18 and under.
The program launched in 2017 with the goal of expanding access to free and healthy meals for youth and teens in Boston.
As food insecurity persists with over 50% of Black and Latinx Massachusetts residents experiencing food insecurity, according to a recent report from the Greater Boston Food Bank– Mayor Wu has allocated $400,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to continue the citywide Farmers Market Coupon Program this summer.
These funds will help families in communities with high rates of food insecurity access fresh food.
The citywide program began July 1, making fresh food available to low income residents at farmers markets throughout the City until the end of October.
OFJ partners with the Age Strong Commission and 24 community health centers and community based organizations to distribute coupon booklets to low income residents experiencing food insecurity.
These coupons can be used for fresh food at 22 farmers markets and farm stands around the City.
The program complements state and federal initiatives like SNAP, HIP, WIC, and Senior Farmers Market Coupons and specifically ensures access for households who may not be eligible for other benefit programs due to documentation status.
“Both our Boston Eats program and the Farmers Market Coupon Program support families to access nutritious, healthy and locally produced foods right in their communities with their neighbors,” said Mayor Michelle Wu.
“By partnering with 110 community meal sites and 22 farmers markets and farm stands, the City is working to build vibrant food access points in every neighborhood to ensure no family is left without a meal to eat.”
Hours of operation at summer meal sites vary depending on the site, and most meal sites will offer breakfast and lunch, while some also provide snacks. No registration or identification is required.
This year, there will be no “grab and go” options available at sites. Youth will be strongly encouraged to eat on site.
Additionally, farmers market season launched in June, open through October.
The Office of Food Justice encourages residents who receive SNAP, P EBT, and WIC benefits to access programs available at farmers markets, especially the Healthy Incentives Program (HIP), where each SNAP dollar spent on fresh produce provides access to $2 worth of food for the household.
In addition, the City’s Farmers Market coupons are available for food insecure households from 25 community based organizations and community health centers in Boston, including Allston Brighton, Charlestown, Chinatown, Dorchester, East Boston, Fenway, Hyde Park, Jamaica Plain, Mattapan, Roslindale, Roxbury, and South Boston.
The goal of the Farmers Markets Coupon Program is to support households who do not qualify for federal and state programs, including but not limited to immigrants and refugees. OFJ partners with 25 organizations which distribute coupons to their local communities.
Distribution partners have limited coupons available.
The recent end to emergency COVID SNAP benefits reduced SNAP benefits for Boston residents by an estimated $13M per month, reducing the relief provided to eligible families.
Massachusetts will be providing Summer Pandemic EBT benefits to households with children in Boston Public Schools.
A one time payment of $120 will be available on July 25th.
Summer Eats and the Farmers Market Coupon Program are part of a strategy that sustains Boston residents while stimulating the local food economy. ■