Best Food Assistance in Massachusetts — 18 resources

About Food Assistance for Women

Food assistance for women and families centers on SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), WIC (Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children), the National School Lunch Program, Feeding America food banks, and Meals on Wheels. WIC serves pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and children up to age 5, providing food packages, nutrition counseling, and breastfeeding peer support — household income limit is 185% of the Federal Poverty Level. SNAP eligibility is generally 130% FPL. Food banks operate in every state and typically require no application for an initial visit. This directory includes each state's SNAP office, WIC clinics, and regional food bank networks.

Food Assistance in Massachusetts

Massachusetts Probate and Family Courts handle divorce, custody, paternity, and child support in each of its 14 counties. The Department of Revenue Child Support Enforcement Division runs enforcement. Boston, Worcester, Springfield, Cambridge, and Lowell are the largest cities. Greater Boston Legal Services, Community Legal Aid, Volunteer Lawyers Project, and Jane Doe Inc. (MA DV/SA coalition) serve women.

18 Resources

1. Massachusetts SNAP (Food Stamps) — Free

SNAP is administered in Massachusetts by the Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) from 600 Washington Street in Boston, with 22 local transitional assistance offices statewide. Mothers apply online via DTA Connect or by calling 877-382-2363 Mon-Fri 8:45am-5pm. Benefits load monthly to an EBT card and can be used at most grocers, farmers' markets, and many online retailers in Massachusetts.

877-382-2363 · 600 Washington St, Boston, MA 02111 · Mon-Fri 8:45am-5pm · Visit Website

2. Greater Boston Food Bank — Free

GBFB at 70 South Bay Avenue is the largest hunger-relief organization in New England, distributing food through 600+ partner pantries, kitchens, and shelters across eastern Massachusetts. Mothers don't visit GBFB directly — find a nearby partner via gbfb.org. The main number 617-427-5200 (Mon-Fri 8am-5pm) handles partnership and volunteer inquiries.

617-427-5200 · 70 South Bay Ave, Boston, MA 02118 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

3. The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts — Free

Food Bank of Western MA at 97 North Hatfield Road in Hatfield distributes food through 175+ partner agencies across Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden, and Hampshire counties. Mothers should find a nearby partner pantry via foodbankwma.org; the central office at 413-247-9738 handles partner and volunteer inquiries Mon-Fri 8am-4pm.

413-247-9738 · 97 North Hatfield Rd, Hatfield, MA 01038 · Mon-Fri 8am-4pm · Visit Website

4. WIC — Massachusetts Women, Infants and Children — Free

Massachusetts WIC, run by DPH at 250 Washington Street, provides free supplemental foods, infant formula, breastfeeding support, and nutrition education for pregnant women, new mothers, and children under five. Income eligibility tracks 185 percent of federal poverty; mothers on MassHealth, SNAP, or TAFDC are automatically income-eligible. Call 800-942-1007 Mon-Fri 8:45am-5pm.

800-942-1007 · 250 Washington St, Boston, MA 02108 · Mon-Fri 8:45am-5pm · Visit Website

5. Project Bread — Food Source Hotline — Free

Project Bread's FoodSource Hotline at 800-645-8333 is Massachusetts's free statewide food helpline, connecting mothers to SNAP application help, school meal programs, summer meals, and local pantries based on their zip code. The Hotline is staffed Mon-Fri 8am-5pm in 180+ languages; the agency's office is at 145 Border Street in East Boston.

800-645-8333 · 145 Border St, East Boston, MA 02128 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

6. Community Servings — Free

Community Servings at 179 Amory Street in Jamaica Plain delivers medically tailored meals — free of charge — to Massachusetts mothers and family members living with serious illnesses like cancer, kidney disease, diabetes, and HIV. Referrals come via clinicians, social workers, or family. Call 617-522-7777 Mon-Fri 7am-3pm to inquire about eligibility for yourself or a household member.

617-522-7777 · 179 Amory St, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130 · Mon-Fri 7am-3pm · Visit Website

7. Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry — Free

Loaves and Fishes at 234 Barnum Road in Devens serves mothers and families in Ayer, Devens, Harvard, Littleton, Shirley, and Groton with a weekly walk-in pantry. The pantry uses a client-choice model — mothers select the foods they need rather than receiving pre-packed bags. Open Tue and Thu 10am-6pm; call 978-772-4627 for eligibility questions.

978-772-4627 · 234 Barnum Rd, Devens, MA 01434 · Tue & Thu 10am-6pm · Visit Website

8. Worcester County Food Bank — Free

Worcester County Food Bank at 474 Boston Turnpike in Shrewsbury distributes food through 100+ partner agencies across central Massachusetts including all of Worcester County. Mothers find a nearby partner pantry via foodbank.org/foodbank or by calling 508-842-3663 Mon-Fri 8am-4pm. The agency also coordinates SNAP outreach and produce distributions.

508-842-3663 · 474 Boston Turnpike, Shrewsbury, MA 01545 · Mon-Fri 8am-4pm · Visit Website

9. Merrimack Valley Food Bank — Free

Merrimack Valley Food Bank at 360 Merrimack Street in Lowell distributes food to 90+ partner pantries serving Lowell, Lawrence, Methuen, Haverhill, and 40 surrounding Merrimack Valley communities. Mothers find a nearby pantry via mvfb.org. The agency office handles partner and volunteer inquiries at 978-454-7272 Mon-Fri 8am-4pm.

978-454-7272 · 360 Merrimack St, Building 9, Lowell, MA 01852 · Mon-Fri 8am-4pm · Visit Website

10. SNAP — Food Stamps — Free

The federal SNAP program is administered in Massachusetts by DTA. The USDA site explains broad eligibility, allowable purchases, and the Restaurant Meals Program (Massachusetts participates for elderly, disabled, and homeless recipients). Massachusetts mothers actually apply through DTA Connect, not USDA directly. Free public info.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

11. WIC — Women, Infants, and Children — Free

USDA's WIC page explains the federal nutrition program for pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and children under five. Massachusetts mothers actually apply through Massachusetts WIC's 32 local agencies — the site's WIC locator points to the nearest Massachusetts office. Free for income-eligible women and children.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

12. Feeding America — Find a Food Bank — Free

Feeding America coordinates the four Feeding America-affiliated Massachusetts food banks: Greater Boston Food Bank, Worcester County Food Bank, Merrimack Valley Food Bank, and the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts. The locator maps mothers to whichever covers their region. Free, no login.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

13. USDA Summer Meals — Free

Project Bread runs Massachusetts's Summer Food Service Program in partnership with the USDA, providing free summer meals to children 18 and under at hundreds of Massachusetts sites — public schools, libraries, parks, and community centers — when school is out. Text FOOD to 304-304 or call 800-645-8333 to find the nearest summer meal site.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

14. Meals on Wheels America — Free

Meals on Wheels is administered in Massachusetts through Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) and Councils on Aging in every Massachusetts city and town. Useful for Massachusetts mothers coordinating meals for an aging parent at home — particularly important during winter months. Free or modest donation requested; locator at mealsonwheelsamerica.org.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

15. No Kid Hungry — Free

No Kid Hungry partners closely with Project Bread and Massachusetts DESE on school breakfast expansion, summer meals, and the Massachusetts Universal School Meals law (which provides free breakfast and lunch to all public school students regardless of income). Free advocacy and program resources.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

16. AmpleHarvest.org — Free

AmpleHarvest connects home gardeners to food pantries accepting fresh produce donations — relevant in Massachusetts where many of the 600+ GBFB partner pantries and 175+ Food Bank of Western MA partners accept fresh garden produce during the growing season. Free locator for Massachusetts gardeners.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

17. USDA National Hunger Hotline — Free

1-866-3-HUNGRY (1-866-348-6479) connects callers to local food resources nationwide. Massachusetts callers are typically referred to Project Bread's FoodSource Hotline at 800-645-8333, which has more granular Massachusetts-specific knowledge. Free.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

18. Bread for the World — Free

Bread for the World is a Christian advocacy organization working on federal hunger policy — relevant for Massachusetts mothers interested in advocating on SNAP, WIC, and child nutrition reauthorization with the Massachusetts congressional delegation. Free public resources, no fee to engage.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

Frequently Asked

How many food assistance resources are in Massachusetts?
Women's Corner tracks 18 food assistance resources for women in Massachusetts.
Are food assistance resources in Massachusetts free?
18 of the 18 listed food assistance resources in Massachusetts are explicitly free or low-cost.
Which cities in Massachusetts have food assistance resources?
Listings span cities including Boston, Hatfield, East Boston, Jamaica Plain, Devens, Shrewsbury.
What are some examples of food assistance resources in Massachusetts?
Featured entries include Massachusetts SNAP (Food Stamps), Greater Boston Food Bank, The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, WIC — Massachusetts Women, Infants and Children, Project Bread — Food Source Hotline.
Do these listings include phone numbers?
9 of 18 Massachusetts food assistance listings include phone numbers.
How do I apply for WIC?
Apply at your local WIC clinic — find it at SignUpWIC.com or call 1-800-942-3678. WIC serves pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women plus children under 5 in households up to 185% of the Federal Poverty Level. You'll get monthly food benefits (formula, milk, eggs, produce, cereal), nutrition counseling, and breastfeeding support. Bring ID, proof of address, and proof of income.
What if I'm waiting on SNAP approval?
If you have under
00 cash and under
50 income this month, ask for 'expedited SNAP' — benefits must be issued within 7 days. Otherwise, regular SNAP takes up to 30 days. While waiting: visit your local food bank (no appointment needed at most), call 211 for emergency food, and check if your kids qualify for free school meals through the school office (no application needed if you get SNAP/TANF/Medicaid).
Can a food bank help me without an appointment?
Yes — most food pantries operate on walk-in distribution days, usually weekly or biweekly. Find your closest one at FeedingAmerica.org/find-your-local-foodbank or call 211. Bring ID and proof of address (a piece of mail is fine). You don't need to be on SNAP. Many pantries also have diapers, formula, period products, and pet food.
Does SNAP cover diapers, formula, or period products?
SNAP does not cover diapers, formula, or period products — these require WIC (formula), the National Diaper Bank Network (NDBN.org), or local pantries. Some states have created separate diaper subsidy programs; check your state Human Services agency. Period product access has expanded — many schools, food banks, and DV shelters distribute them free.