Press Release  Healey-Driscoll Administration Holding Regional Anti-Hunger Task Force Listening Sessions

BOSTON — The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced today a series of listening sessions across Massachusetts to inform Governor Maura Healey’s Anti-Hunger Task Force’s recommendations on how Massachusetts can mitigate against President Donald Trump’s long-term cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and other food assistance programs and adopt long-term solutions to hunger.   

Governor Healey first created the Anti-Hunger Task Force after President Trump and Congressional Republicans passed a bill that makes severe changes to SNAP and will result in more than 150,000 Massachusetts residents having their SNAP benefits reduced or eliminated. This came after President Trump had already cut millions of dollars in food assistance grants to Massachusetts. Then in November, President Trump became the first President in United States history to withhold SNAP benefits during a federal government shutdown.  

More than 1.1 million Massachusetts residents rely on SNAP to afford food – 32 percent are children, 26 percent are seniors, and 31 percent are people with disabilities. Local businesses and farmers also get business through the program. 21,000 SNAP recipients in Massachusetts are veterans. Additionally, over 5,500 farms and grocery stores take SNAP and depend on those revenues.  

“While Donald Trump and the Republicans in Congress continue to play politics with people’s food, in Massachusetts, we remain committed to preventing our families from going hungry,” said Governor Maura Healey. “By hosting these listening sessions, we are opening a crucial dialogue with communities to gather valuable insights and craft recommendations that reflect the needs of those who will be directly impacted by these unprecedent cuts, including children, seniors, veterans, people with disabilities, and our local farmers and retailers.” 

“As a former mayor, I believe that listening to our communities is essential in creating effective policies,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “These statewide listening sessions will provide a platform for food pantries, nonprofits, schools, parents, caregivers, farmers and retailers to share their experiences and ideas. This collaborative approach will not only inform our strategies but also strengthen our commitment to ending hunger in Massachusetts. It is now more important than ever that we stand firm in the Bay State that here we support our neighbors.” 

These listening sessions will engage local government, food banks, non-profits and business leaders, as well as those who are directly impacted by these federal decisions, such as SNAP recipients, farmers and small business owners, and larger communities. Feedback from the sessions focuses on the Task Force's four key objectives, including mitigating the direct and indirect impacts of federal SNAP cuts and program changes to Massachusetts, initiating and deepening collaboration for alleviating food insecurity, and exploring long-term, sustainable solutions for mitigating hunger, preserving food systems, and bolstering local economies.  

“Hunger is so personal and deeply impacts residents in our state, it’s vital that we offer communities the opportunity to share their experiences in addressing it,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Kiame Mahaniah, MD, and Co-Chair of the Anti-Hunger Task Force. “Hunger compounds the strain on health care we’re experiencing, and this issue is made more acute by President Trump’s callous cuts to SNAP. I look forward to hearing from our partners and people across our state about ways to reduce hunger and improve health outcomes overall.” 

“Massachusetts has a strong and interconnected food system – from farmers to foodbanks – all working every day to keep our communities fed. With federal SNAP cuts hitting families hard, we need to hear directly from the people doing the work and feeling the impact. These listening sessions are a chance for us to hear those stories, solutions, and come up with practical ways the state can step in so kids don’t miss meals, pantries stay stocked, and families can put dinner on the table,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper, Co-Chair of the Anti-Hunger Task Force. 

“We know how important access to food is for children and family’s health and wellbeing. I am grateful to be in Massachusetts, a state where we care about one another and work together to support residents’ hierarchy of need – so people can learn, work, and thrive, meeting their own economic mobility goals,” said Secretary of Education Dr. Patrick Tutwiler, Co-Chair of the Anti-Hunger Task Force. “I strongly encourage families, community leaders and stakeholders to attend these sessions and provide direct feedback on ways we can promote food security and mitigate against President Trump’s devastating dismantlement of SNAP.” 

President Trump signed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, passed by Congressional Republicans, into law that cuts SNAP benefits, imposes new and burdensome eligibility requirements, and fundamentally alters its cost-sharing partnership with the states. As a result, tens of thousands of Massachusetts residents who rely on SNAP to keep food on the table may lose this assistance or have benefits reduced. These cuts will also hurt farmers and small businesses by taking away business from them. President Trump decided to implement these major restrictions on the same day he chose to let SNAP benefits lapse citing the government shutdown. 

Community members can learn more about the task force and listening sessions at Mass.gov/governors-anti-hunger-task-force.  

Schedule of Listening Sessions: 

All listening sessions take place 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Additional session may be added. 

###