Mayor Michelle Wu is bolstering Boston's fight against child hunger this summer with the Boston Summer Eats program, which offers free, nutritious meals to anyone under 18, as reported on the City of Boston's official website. The initiative, started in 2017, aims to bridge the summer food gap for young residents, operating at over 30 sites, including schools and community centers until the end of August.
The program, according to Boston.gov, partners with the Mayor's Office of Food Justice (OFJ), Boston Public Schools, the YMCA of Greater Boston, Boston Centers for Youth & Families, and Project Bread in cooperation with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, ensuring no child in need goes without meals during the school break. They also work in collaboration with numerous meal providers across Massachusetts.
In a statement by the City of Boston, Mayor Wu said, “In the summer, it's essential that every child in Boston has continued access to nutritious meals. The Boston Eats program plays a critical role in ensuring our young people are well-fed and healthy, outside of the school year, regardless of their circumstances.” The city is also promoting its farmer’s market coupon program, which supports access to fresh food for all residents including immigrants and refugees not covered by federal and state food programs.
Many sites provide breakfast and lunch, with some offering snacks as well, and residents can find a meal site by visiting the city's website or contacting Project Bread’s FoodSource Hotline. Information about food resources, availability, and meal site operations can be found, with no need for registration or identification. This program is also implementing an on-site eating requirement due to federal regulations, removing the "grab and go" option that was previously available.
Boston Public Schools Superintendent Mary Skipper expressed gratitude for the initiative, emphasizing the importance of providing continuous support to students throughout the year, and Erin McAleer, President and CEO of Project Bread, indicated pride in their collective efforts towards ending hunger in Massachusetts. David Shapiro, CEO of the YMCA of Greater Boston, spoke about the role of good nutrition for young people during summer when school meals are not available, and Shavel’le Olivier, Executive Director of the Mattapan Food and Fitness Coalition, touched on the importance of the farmer's market coupon program for community health.
Supporting Bostonians' monetary access to fresh produce, the Healthy Incentives Program (HIP) offers additional buying power for SNAP recipients at markets across Massachusetts. The City of Boston also distributes Farmers Market coupons to food insecure households through community organizations and health centers, part of a federal effort to assist those not qualifying for other aid. A full list of these organizations is available online to assist local communities from July to October.
