Massachusetts Anti-Hunger Organizations Welcome New Gubernatorial Administration

These seven hunger relief organizations sent a joint welcome letter to the new administration, outlining policy priorities around equity, access, and food system coordination that will make Massachusetts a food-secure state.

The Greater Boston Food Bank reports that one in three Massachusetts residents faced food insecurity at some time last year. It is imperative that hunger relief efforts remain a priority to provide resources to those in need across our state. As food insecurity and inflation continue to challenge the Commonwealth, both Healey and Driscoll have proven themselves to be hunger relief champions and we have full confidence that the new administration, much like Governor Baker’s, will keep anti-hunger advocacy and legislation top-of-mind throughout their tenure. Under the Healey/Driscoll administration’s leadership, we anticipate and look forward to effective collaboration, further progress, and expanded initiatives to end hunger here.

“Tuesday’s elections in Massachusetts delivered powerful and historic victories, notably, the selection of Governor-Elect Maura Healey and Lieutenant Governor-Elect Kim Driscoll, both of whom have been dedicated advocates for equity and inclusion and champions of hunger-relief efforts in the Commonwealth,” said Catherine D’Amato, President and CEO of The Greater Boston Food Bank. “We congratulate them and look forward to working with the Healey/Driscoll administration to remove barriers to access and drive forward policies to end hunger in our communities. With their leadership, we can build on the progress we’ve made and harness the opportunity before us to ensure that every Massachusetts resident has equitable access to healthy food.”

“We share in the congratulations and welcoming of this new administration to state office,” notes Erin McAleer, President and CEO of Project Bread. “Our work with Maura Healey in her role as Attorney General, and Kimberley Driscoll as Mayor of Salem, has shown us that they are both strong anti-hunger advocates, and we hope to see that leadership continue as Massachusetts sets an example for the rest of the country as a state committed to innovative policies for improving food security for all residents, such as free school meals for all students.”

“Hunger is a solvable problem requiring the political will of our elected officials,” notes Jean McMurray, CEO of Worcester County Food Bank. “We are committed to working with Governor-elect Healey and Lieutenant Governor-elect Driscoll and their administration on programs that increase access to healthy food and policies that address the root causes of food insecurity and poverty.” 

“Massachusetts has been a national leader in addressing hunger and food system issues through thoughtful policy and public investments,” said Winton Pitcoff, MA Food System Collaborative Director. “Governor-elect Healey and Lieutenant Governor-elect Driscoll have an opportunity to build on these successes in order to address persistent inequities and sustainability challenges that threaten the Commonwealth’s food system’s resilience. We look forward to working with them toward these goals.”