Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey Establishes Anti-Hunger Task Force to Counter Federal Cuts to Food Assistance
BOSTON — Governor Maura Healey today signed an executive order creating a statewide Anti-Hunger Task Force aimed at protecting Massachusetts families from increased food insecurity following significant federal cuts to food assistance programs signed into law by President Donald Trump.
The task force will bring together state officials, nonprofit leaders, food banks, farmers, business owners, and residents directly impacted by cuts to programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The group will advise the governor and develop recommendations to help the Commonwealth mitigate the impacts of the federal rollbacks while crafting long-term strategies to address hunger in Massachusetts.
“President Trump’s cuts are going to force millions of people – children, seniors, veterans, people with disabilities – into hunger. They’re also going to hurt local farmers and retailers who rely on these programs to support their business and create jobs. In Massachusetts, we won’t accept that,” said Governor Healey. “That’s why I’m bringing together the incredible leaders who work every day to provide food to families in need as well as those who will be directly impacted by these cuts to advise on how we can prevent hunger in our communities.”
Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll echoed the need for a coordinated statewide effort.
“We know that Team Massachusetts is full of leaders across the public and private sectors who are committed to ending hunger and who have valuable insights for how we can work together to mitigate the negative impacts of President Trump’s cuts to food assistance,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “Their partnership will be invaluable as we navigate these challenges and do everything we can to support our residents, and we thank them for stepping up to join this task force.”
President Trump recently signed legislation that reduces SNAP benefits, imposes stricter eligibility requirements, and alters the financial structure of the program. Thousands of Massachusetts residents may lose access to food assistance. Cuts have also eliminated $12 million in federal support for healthy food in childcare centers and schools, $3.4 million for food banks, and $6 million from programs that purchased food from local farmers to distribute to families in need.
The new task force will operate alongside ongoing food security initiatives in Massachusetts, including Make Hunger History, a coalition of more than 300 organizations led by Project Bread that is working to build a coordinated, community-driven roadmap to end hunger across the state.
According to the Greater Boston Food Bank’s 2025 Cost of Hunger in Massachusetts report, one in three Massachusetts households experienced food insecurity in 2024. Hunger rates have risen steadily, from 19 percent in 2019 to 37 percent in 2024. Programs like SNAP and school meals, which have faced cuts, are proven tools in reducing food insecurity and improving health outcomes.
The task force will be co-chaired by Health and Human Services Secretary Kiame Mahaniah, Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper, and Education Secretary Patrick Tutwiler, or their designees. Members will include commissioners and secretaries from various state agencies, legislative appointees, food policy advocates, nonprofit leaders, and residents with lived experience, such as SNAP recipients and farmers.
Additional appointees will represent geographic and demographic diversity across Massachusetts, ensuring that the task force reflects the communities most impacted by hunger and food insecurity.
