As inflation coincides with the rollback of pandemic aid programs, food banks in Massachusetts are requesting additional emergency aid to meet unprecedented demand. The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, along with other major food banks in the state, is asking for $41.5 million in funding from the Massachusetts Emergency Food Assistance Program (MEFAP) for the next fiscal year, significantly more than the governor’s proposed $31.2 million. This request comes as food insecurity in Massachusetts has increased by 70% since the pandemic began, impacting one-third of adults and half of all households with children.

Andrew Morehouse, executive director of the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, emphasized the urgency of the situation at a recent press conference at McKinstry Farms in Chicopee. “Food insecurity is on the rise in Massachusetts, and across the country for that matter,” he said. “It shouldn’t come as any surprise to anyone that food inflation is hammering families that are trying to make ends meet.”

In 2022, the state’s four major food banks served more than 800,000 people monthly, distributing food to hundreds of food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, senior centers, and other organizations. The coalition of food banks highlighted the critical role MEFAP has played since its establishment in 1995, paying for about 26.4% of the food purchased by these organizations in the 2022 fiscal year.

However, additional challenges are compounding the situation. Pandemic-era supports such as supplemental food stamp benefits, extra unemployment benefits, and the federal child tax credit have ended or are ending, creating further strain on food banks. National supply chain issues are also hindering the USDA’s ability to provide food inventory, forcing food banks to dip into their emergency funds to purchase food at inflated prices.

Kia Hansard, program director at the Center for Employment Opportunities, pointed out that inflation and the rising costs of inputs like feed, fertilizer, and fuel are further straining farmers and food banks alike. The McKinstry family, who hosted the press conference at their farm, shared their own challenges in managing costs and maintaining operations amid these economic pressures.

Senator Adam Gomez, representing parts of Chicopee and Springfield, advocated for increased funding to ensure that food reaches the most vulnerable communities. He also highlighted the need for legislative support for agricultural workers, who are essential to the food supply chain yet often face inadequate wages and working conditions.

In addition to state-level efforts, federal legislators, including Massachusetts representative Jim McGovern, are pushing for more funding for food systems. McGovern has called for the full funding of The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP)’s administrative grants and additional support for infrastructure grants to bolster the food supply chain.

As food banks continue to navigate these challenges, the call for increased emergency aid underscores the critical need for comprehensive support to address food insecurity and sustain the operations of these vital organizations. Without this aid, the risk of widespread hunger and hardship looms large, particularly in impoverished areas like Hampden County, which relies heavily on the services provided by food banks.