Photo: AFP
MATTAPAN, Mass (WBZ NewsRadio) – Today was opening day for the Market in Mattapan, which is a joint effort between the Mattapan Food & Fitness Coalition and Project Bread, the state’s leading anti-hunger organization.
The coalition manages a team of up to 15 volunteers who run the market. It starts in July and lasts through October.
The market offers culturally sensitive foods at a discount and accepts, WIC farmers’ market coupons, Senior Farmers Market coupons and SNAP and HIP benefits.
The market also provides free meals to kids and teenagers through Summer Eats, the Massachusetts Summer Food Service Program.
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The coalition collaborates heavily with local and statewide anti-hunger leaders to advance food security. This is done through policy initiatives informed by the experience of community based organizations and their clients.
Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, who attended the event, said the funds collected from the market will help families recover from food insecurity following the pandemic.
She says a lot of people are hesitant to go on food assistance because of access and convenience.
“Maybe they’re second and third shift workers and things like that,” Pressley said.
The congresswoman is also calling on her partners in state municipal governments to ensure that these funds go out quickly.
“There’s a lot of work that has to be done to ensure that this recovery is one that is just [and] that is equitable and that is robust” Pressley said. “It begins with us getting these funds out urgently.”
More information about the Mattapan Food & Fitness Coalition can be found on their website.
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