Project Bread Joins Governor Healey's Anti-Hunger Task Force Following Federal Food Assistance Cuts

In response to sweeping federal cuts to food assistance programs, Massachusetts steps up to lead the way in solving hunger, collaboratively and systemically. Project Bread CEO Erin McAleer joined Governor Healey and Lt. Governor Driscoll in Medford this afternoon for the launch of the Governor’s Anti-Hunger Task Force, comprised of state officials, nonprofits including Project Bread, people who have experienced hunger, and individuals who have relevant industry expertise. 

In a press conference at the Mystic Community Market at the Walnut Street Center, Governor Healey announced her intention to draw on Massachusetts’ strength — our people. “This is a state and these are a people who have always wanted to make sure nobody goes hungry. That’s who we are in Massachusetts... We’re about helping people, not hurting people.” 
 

Erin McAleer joined in the conference remarks, highlighting the importance of this statewide commitment to ending hunger and the progress that we have made to date. “Hunger is not an individual failure, it is a systemic one. And what we are seeing from Washington is policy failure at an unprecedented magnitude...In recent months, as federal threats to SNAP, school meals, and WIC have escalated, our Make Hunger History Coalition mobilized across the northeast region to defend the systems that keep people fed. Project Bread hears every day – from the more than 25,000 households we directly support – that these programs are a lifeline.” 
 

In 2023, Project Bread launched the Make Hunger History Coalition to bring together individuals and organizations from across industries and backgrounds all to unite against hunger in Massachusetts. Today, we are over 300 coalition members strong – collaborating in working groups spanning a breadth of initiatives and advancing a statewide plan to end hunger. Our advocates have rallied together to fight against cuts to SNAP, school meals, WIC, and more. 

Now, with the Healey administration’s launch of this task force —  a coordinated, cross-agency commitment to addressing food insecurity — one of the earliest recommendations of Make Hunger History has been enacted. We look forward to collaborating with the Governor’s Anti-Hunger Task Force to expand our reach and continue advancing systemic solutions to ending hunger. 

The launch of the Anti-Hunger Task Force marks a pivotal moment in Massachusetts’ ongoing battle against hunger. With Project Bread and a coalition of dedicated organizations joining forces, we are igniting a movement that prioritizes food security as a fundamental right.