Food Security Webinar Hosted by Senator Ed Markey TODAY

Senator Ed Markey is hosting a virtual meeting today, March 26, at 5PM on the importance of protecting SNAP and food security benefits for people in Massachusetts. A response to proposed federal cuts to SNAP benefits (also known as food stamps), which help ease the burden of food insecurity, as well as efforts to stop funding for programs that help schools and food banks purchase local food, the webinar will feature leaders of local food banks and food security programs as well as Mass Law Reform Institute.

Speakers will include experts and individuals who can talk about the impact of cuts to food security programs. The SNAP program, as well as local food pantries, benefit millions of Americans who would otherwise be struggling to feed themselves and their children. Locally, Project Bread, People Helping People, the Greater Boston Food Bank, and more such organizations support hundreds of Burlington residents each month—and those numbers are up this year, said People Helping People President, Elizabeth Trowbridge.

In the last six months, Burlington's food pantry has provided food assistance to an average of 621 individuals in Burlington each month, a 31% increase over 2024, Trowbridge said at the March 24 Select Board meeting. The increase in grocery prices has impacted everyone, but especially those who struggle with food insecurity, and many foresee things getting much harder if these proposed cuts to federal support of food security programs like school meal programs, SNAP, and local food banks.

Speakers at this evening's event will include experts and individuals who can talk about the impact of cuts to food security programs, including individuals from Mass Law Reform Institute, Project Bread, Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, and Massachusetts Food System Collaborative.

Learn more and register for this virtual event, which will be held March 26, 2025, at 5:00 PM.