Grantees of Food Sovereignty and Community Grants announced

Mayor Kim Janey and the Mayor’s Office of Food Access (OFA) today announced the distribution of $2.2 million in grant funding to 39 local, non-profit organizations through the Food Sovereignty and Community Grants programs, funded through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). Through the five Food Sovereignty grants awarded, 500 Boston residents and 11 community-based sites will receive raised beds and 1,800 subsidized Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) boxes will be provided for older adults and adults with disabilities. 34 local nonprofits and collectives were awarded Community Grants in the categories of Destigmatization and Outreach and Equity in Food Access. These organizations will create community-led food access solutions, increase awareness about food resources available, and destigmatize the food safety net and emergency programs, such as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Healthy Incentive Program (HIP), Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC),Boston Double Up Food Bucks, and food pantries. 

Funding was prioritized to organizations closely connected to a specific population, projects bringing innovation and creativity to fill gaps in emergency response and recovery, and projects creating pathways to sustainable solutions for the people of Boston. Whether projects were led by local businesses or by women and people of color was also considered in the decision-making process.

 “The pandemic has highlighted the disparities that exist in our City, including food insecurity,” said Mayor Janey. “I am proud to award this funding to local nonprofits already making an impact in our communities, and I know this will help their work to make Boston a more equitable city for all our residents.”

Of the grantees awarded, 62 percent are led by a person of color and 57 percent are women-led. The organizations granted are based in Dorchester, Hyde Park, East Boston, Roslindale and Mattapan, neighborhoods which are experiencing higher rates of food insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The partnership with OFA helps Eastie Farm sustain our efforts in responding to the ongoing consequences of the COVID crisis across our city, with a focus on East Boston. We will engage local artists and innovative methods to fight the stigma around food insecurity, increase awareness of the various food programs and resources available to people, and increase equity in access to fresh, healthy, locally grown food,” said Kannan Thiruvengadam of Eastie Farm.

Through the funds, the City of Boston is working to address objectives in the 2021 Mayor’s Food Access Agenda and to ensure Boston-residents have access to necessary food. Additionally, through the grant programs, the City supports local farmers and programs that work to increase food security.

For more information, please call  617-635-3717, email, or visit the Food Access website.

The Mayor’s Office of Food Access (OFA) strives to give all residents of Boston access to nutritious, affordable, culturally-connected food. Keeping the diversity of Boston’s population at heart, OFA’s goal is to create a more food secure City with a vibrant, inclusive food culture.