Massachusetts Food Insecurity Reaches Record 40%, New Report Finds
BOSTON — Food insecurity in Massachusetts surged to a record high in 2025, with 40% of households—about 1.1 million—struggling to access enough food, according to a new statewide report released Tuesday by The Greater Boston Food Bank and Mass General Brigham.
The findings, detailed in the sixth annual Massachusetts Food Access Report: Hunger on the Rise, show a sharp increase from 37% in 2024 and more than double the rate recorded in 2019. Researchers cited the state’s high cost of living, persistent inflation and disruptions to federal food programs following the 2025 government shutdown as key drivers.
“The data clearly shows that hunger in Massachusetts is on the rise,” said Lauren Fiechtner, a physician and senior health and research advisor at The Greater Boston Food Bank. “More people are struggling, and while they are accessing programs like food pantries, SNAP and WIC, they are telling us it’s not enough.”
The report highlights growing reliance on charitable food assistance, with 56% of food-insecure households turning to food banks and pantries—a record high. At the same time, many families report gaps in government support. Among participants in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, 75% said they still needed additional help, and 78% reported receiving less than $300 per month in benefits.
Households facing food insecurity are also grappling with broader financial strain. Nearly 9 in 10 reported difficulty paying for at least one basic expense, and on average said they needed an additional $500 per month to meet essential needs.
Children and families are increasingly affected. Child-level food insecurity rose to 37% in 2025, up from 33% the previous year. The report also links food insecurity to worsening health outcomes, with nearly 80% of adults in food-insecure households reporting at least one chronic condition, compared with about two-thirds of those in food-secure households. Among children, nearly 60% in food-insecure households were reported to have a chronic condition.
Researchers estimate that up to $1.6 billion in annual health care spending for MassHealth patients may be tied to food insecurity, including emergency room visits and hospitalizations.
Significant disparities persist across demographic groups. Hispanic households reported the highest rates of food insecurity at 63%, followed by LGBTQ+ households at 58% and Black households at 51%.
The report also underscores the impact of reduced federal support. Since October 2025, food supplied to The Greater Boston Food Bank through U.S. Department of Agriculture programs has dropped by nearly 36%, increasing pressure on charitable networks and state resources.
“While the data shows that we are headed in the wrong direction when it comes to food insecurity, Massachusetts has always been committed to solutions,” said Catherine D’Amato, president and CEO of the organization. “The call to action is clear: we must continue to invest in our emergency food system and work toward long-term solutions.”
Health leaders say the consequences are being seen firsthand in clinical settings. Elsie Taveras, chief community health and health equity officer at Mass General Brigham, said limited access to nutritious food is directly affecting patient well-being.
“As more patients struggle to access consistent, nutritious food, we are seeing the direct impact on their health,” Taveras said.
Federal policymakers also weighed in on the findings. Jim McGovern said rising costs are forcing families to make difficult tradeoffs between food and other essentials, while Ayanna Pressley pointed to federal policy decisions as contributing factors.
The report calls for increased investment in both public and charitable food systems. Recommendations include boosting funding for the Massachusetts Emergency Food Assistance Program to $58 million, strengthening SNAP administration, expanding access to nutrition programs such as WIC and school meals, and investing in “Food is Medicine” initiatives.
Researchers say the goal is not only to address immediate hunger but also to tackle its root causes, including income instability, housing costs and access to health care.
The findings are based on a survey of more than 3,000 Massachusetts adults conducted between October and December 2025 in English, Spanish and Portuguese.
