Governor Healey Partners with Project Bread to Provide Free Meals in Child Care and Afterschool Programs

Governor Healey Partners with Project Bread to Provide Free Meals in Child Care and Afterschool Programs

 New initiative advances Anti-Hunger Task Force recommendation to maximize federal nutrition programs and connect more children with healthy food

BOSTON — Governor Healey today announced a new partnership with Project Bread to help more child care and afterschool programs access federal funding to provide healthy meals and snacks to kids across Massachusetts.

The partnership advances a recommendation from Governor Healey’s Anti-Hunger Task Force to increase participation in the federal Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). The program provides funding to eligible child care and afterschool programs to help cover the cost of meals and snacks.

“No one should go hungry in Massachusetts, especially at a time when President Trump is making it harder for families to afford the food they need. We are going to keep doing everything to help people get the food and support they need,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Our Anti-Hunger Task Force identified ways we can reach more kids and better use federal nutrition programs. This partnership with Project Bread is about putting that work into action and helping more child care and afterschool programs provide healthy meals to kids.” 

“Families rely on child care and afterschool programs every day, and we want to make sure those programs have the resources they need to support kids,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “Project Bread has been a strong partner in the fight against hunger. By working together, we can help more programs access federal funding and make sure more kids have healthy food throughout their day.”

CACFP reimburses eligible programs for meals and snacks served to children in participating child care and afterschool programs and emergency shelters, as well as eligible adults in adult day care programs. Afterschool programs can use the funding to provide snacks or supper to children and teens alongside enrichment activities.

Increasing participation in CACFP was among the recommendations of the Governor’s Anti-Hunger Task Force. The Task Force called for more outreach in communities where participation is low and additional support for programs interested in participating.

“We know that some of the programs that could benefit most from federal nutrition resources can also face the greatest barriers to accessing them,” said Education Secretary Dr. Steve Zrike. “This partnership is an important part of our commitment to addressing those barriers and ensuring that children have the supports they need to thrive. By combining DESE’s expertise with Project Bread’s deep experience working directly with communities, we can help more programs provide nutritious food to the children they serve.”

Massachusetts has seen a smaller decline in overall CACFP participation than the national trend – 3 percent in Massachusetts compared with 6 percent nationally. But the number of suppers served through the program remains below pre-pandemic levels. Massachusetts programs served 1.2 million suppers in 2016, compared with nearly 760,000 in 2024.

As part of the partnership, Project Bread will work with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) to identify barriers to participation and conduct outreach to eligible programs. Project Bread will also provide direct assistance to new and existing participants, including:

• Training and resources to strengthen meal service;
• Assistance developing nutritious and appealing menus within program budgets; and
• Support identifying and expanding infrastructure needed to successfully operate the program.
  
  

“Addressing gaps in children's access to food is crucial,” said Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Pedro Martinez. “We look forward to partnering with Project Bread on this community initiative to identify and break down barriers to access and to raise awareness of the Child and Adult Care Food Program.”

“Providing access to nutritious food is an essential part of high-quality programming for our youngest learners,” said Early Education and Care Commissioner Amy Kershaw. “We are excited to support this partnership that will help more child care programs connect with resources to provide healthy meals and snacks, while reducing barriers for providers and strengthening the supports available to children and families across Massachusetts.”

Project Bread brings extensive experience in community outreach and addressing food insecurity across Massachusetts. Through its work with DESE, the organization will connect eligible programs with information, technical assistance and other resources throughout the process of becoming a CACFP participant.

"All kids deserve reliable access to food, in and out of school. Project Bread is thrilled to expand our decades-long partnership with DESE to ensure more kids can access the meals they need to thrive through the Child and Adult Care Food Program. Whether in the classroom, during the summer, or in daycares and afterschool programs, we are proud to work together to ensure no child in Massachusetts has to wonder where their next meal will come from,” said Project Bread President and CEO Erin McAleer.

The partnership is part of the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s broader work to address hunger and make sure Massachusetts residents can get the food and support they need. The Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27) budget signed by Governor Healey includes $338 million in investments to address hunger and strengthen food assistance programs.

Governor Healey has also made universal school meals permanent, strengthened outreach to help eligible residents access and maintain SNAP benefits, and worked closely with food banks, food pantries and community organizations across Massachusetts to respond to growing need. The administration continues to work with the Legislature, advocates, food banks and food pantries to strengthen food assistance and support families across the state.