Project Bread
Governor Healey released her FY27 budget proposal today. At a time when 1 in 3 Massachusetts families struggles to put food on the table, and the nation faces unprecedented cuts to SNAP, the proposed budget does not rise to the moment. Families and communities need solutions that prevent hunger. This proposal falls short.
Massachusetts’ state budget is more than fiscal policy – the investments we prioritize are reflection of what we, as a Commonwealth, value. The proposed budget goes against our state’s history of leadership in putting the basic needs of our communities first. We need to do more. We need to do better.
The November government shutdown showed how quickly disruptions to SNAP benefits impact real people. Too many residents, many of whom are working full time in essential roles like health care, education and food service, are struggling with affordability of basic needs like rent, childcare, utilities, and food. Too many families unable to make ends meet. While this budget proposal includes plans to reduce the cost of these other major household expenses and help people afford them, the only new investments to address hunger are temporary stopgap solutions.
People should not have to rely on food pantries, which are meant for emergencies and designed to be used rarely and briefly, to keep food on the table. Food pantries cannot replace our nation’s most powerful weapon against hunger. In this moment of crisis, Massachusetts must strengthen systems that keep hunger from happening in the first place.
Investments in School Meals for All and the Healthy Incentives Program—both included in the proposal—are essential, but they cannot meet the full scale of need.
The budget fails to adequately fund the Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA), even as federal changes under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OB3) increase hurdles for families and strain the state’s administrative capacity. Without new staffing and operational resources, residents will face longer delays, stricter barriers, and risk losing benefits. More Massachusetts families will go hungry or jump through bureaucratic hoops just to feed themselves.
Project Bread remains committed to policies and investments that ensure no resident of Massachusetts goes hungry. Hunger is a human issue, touching real families every day. We will continue working with partners and policymakers to ensure every person in our Commonwealth has reliable access to nutritious food.
Use your voice to advocate for anti-hunger solutions that work.