新英格蘭台學聯和哈佛台灣學生會講座談台灣實質廢死

哈佛大學台灣學生會會長李典璋（又）請波士頓經文處科技組組長蔡孟勳（左）
一起頒發感謝狀給獎者之一的歐陽儀。（周菊子攝）

       （Boston Orange 周菊子麻州劍橋市報導）哈佛大學台灣學生會9月6日早上在哈佛大學馮氏禮堂（Fong Auditorium），為“關於台灣我想聊”系列舉辦研討會，從“憲法法庭113年度憲判字第8號判決對死刑制度的影響“角度，討論“台灣走向實質廢死嗎？”。

哈佛大學和MIT等台灣學生會合辦「台灣實質廢死」講座。（周菊子攝）

         這場研討會，有哈佛大學和常春藤聯盟等校的共15個台灣學生會攜手舉辦，在哈佛大學台灣學生會的“關於台灣我想聊”系列下，和“台灣咖啡館”合作舉辦，共邀有4名講者，分別在網路上和現場，從不同立場討論。

         哈佛大學台灣學生會共會長李典璋，陳曦，和哈佛法學院碩士生廖禾安當天一起主持會議，並邀得波士頓經文處科技組組長蔡孟勳做嘉賓。報名與會的有142人，其中43人現場參加。

哈佛大學台灣學生會會長李典璋（右起）位講者準備簡報螢幕。

         應邀出席的講者，有3人在網路上從台灣發言，分別是中央警察大學行政警察學系主任暨警察政策研究所長許福生談「臺灣死刑制度之回顧與展望」，臺灣大學法律學院教授謝煜偉談「113年度憲判字第8號判決後的死刑量刑」，台北地檢署檢察官廖彥鈞談「113年度憲判字第8號判決對於國民參與審判之影響─從檢方角度出發」。

左起，禾安，歐陽儀法官，哈佛台灣學生會會長李典璋。

         曾任臺灣臺北地方法院刑事庭暨國民法官專庭審判長，目前在哈佛大學法學院修讀碩士的歐陽儀法官，在現場發言，談「臺灣的國民法官法制度及113年度憲判字第8號判決意旨之實務運用現況」。

         台灣早從結束戒嚴時期開始，就一直有人倡議廢除死刑，在2022年底到2023年初期間，共有37名死刑犯申請釋憲，使得「廢死」議題，再度大受關注。

哈佛「台灣實質廢死」講座，線上線下共約130人參加。（周菊子攝）

         今年初到8月23日前，在台灣鬧得滿城風雨的的2波「大罷免」議員行動，也有人把廢死議題拿來作為是否該支持或罷免某位議員的衡量標準。

         台灣是在2020年7月時，3讀通過國民法官制度，2023年1月正式上路，讓年滿23歲的符合資格國民，和職業法官一起參與特定重大刑案的審判。

有3名講者從台灣線上參加。

         由於2024年9月時，台灣憲法法庭做出判字第8號判決，認為死刑制度「合憲」，但僅限「最嚴重犯罪」，而且必須遵循嚴格正當的法律程序，包括三審強制辯護，由3名職業法官和6名國民法官組成的合議庭須做出「一致決」，量刑時考量被告情況，不得對有精神障礙者執行死刑等之後，支持者與反對者又高分貝辯論，「廢死」議題也再度熱絡起來。

         前述4名講者，分別從死刑制度，量刑，檢察官角度，以及實務運用等不同方位申論，讓出席者看到刑法制定與實施辦法上的各種考量，顧忌，與及不容易。

         4名講者中的檢察官廖彥鈞坦率表示，檢察官的傳統角度，講究的是藉刑罰為受害者伸張正義，113憲判8是為保護個人基本生命權，規定只能在情節最重大之飯做，法官一致同意判決死刑，沒有其他刑罰可以替代，以達到教化，隔離犯罪者目的時，才可判處死刑，所以他從個人角度看，認為台灣的確已實質廢死。

         幾名講者的講談重點包括：

         許福生教授的講談，從回顧台灣近年曾發生過的7宗隨機殺人開始，犯案者房客以租屋名義約房東看屋，將之殺害; 在台南市以瑞士刀割喉10歲男童; 持雙刀在台北捷運板南線車廂來回砍殺; 持水果刀割喉8歲國小女生;北捷中山站電扶梯隨機砍人;在內湖人行道刀砍女童頸部;持生魚片刀在便利店門外次騎機車男被不等。

         然而從2016年迄今2025年，幾乎都無人，或最多一人被判死刑。許福生接著闡釋，支持死刑或反對死刑者在人道主義，刑事政策，司法實務，社會心理，國際趨勢，經濟效益，民調立場觀察，以及對被害人的影響上的不同之處。

         他也列出一份民調顯示，不贊成廢除死刑的民眾，高達82.7%，贊成的僅12%，大法官釋憲實質廢死的也是不贊成者佔80.5%，贊成的12.3%。

         死刑在刑罰制度上，主要是為懲罰罪犯，使他們付出代價，希望藉以發揮威嚇效果，而死刑是否符合憲法，歷經從1985年起的多次釋憲，除2015年認為違憲，2024年認為有條件合憲之外，憲法庭都認為死刑是符合憲法的懲罰。至於死刑算不算酷刑，第二屆模擬憲法法庭也曾經討論過。113年也出爐了一份憲判字第8號。

         

         研究刑法解釋學的臺灣大學法律學院教授謝煜偉，主要談的是「113年度憲判字第8號判決後的死刑量刑」。他先申論這113憲判8判決的意義，指出死刑的目的是讓犯罪者得到應有報應，並發揮嚇阻的預防作用，其量刑框架是要審酌犯罪嚴重程度，犯案者有無再教化、更生之可能。其中三階段量刑架構很重要。

         他指出，113憲判8可能間接誘使最高法院改變見解，降低死刑是用的標準。學者們也在研議，最高法院近年來對死刑是用所設下的防火牆是否可能會因113憲判8而逐步瓦解。

 

         台北地檢署檢察官廖彥鈞談「113年度憲判字第8號判決對於國民參與審判之影響─從檢方角度出發」。

         廖彥鈞先解說國民法官案件基本流程，包括準備程序，挑選是任國民法官，再進行罪責審理，量刑審理，然後終局評議。接著敘述法務部提出的要旨包括死刑合憲，作為刑罰手段，符合比例原則，然而禁止死刑並非有共識的國際法原則，廢除死刑應以政治上達成共識為前提，個別檢察官的立場則是傳統上重刑等於正義，是為被害人伸張正義，但是檢察官沒有聲請釋憲的權利。

         高雄65歲吳姓男子只因樓上鄰居太吵，持刀上樓，當著2名稚子之面，砍死其父母的案件，是國民法官參審的首宗死刑判決案。

         廖彥鈞指出，有人認為113憲判8是實質廢死，主要原因是科處死刑應經各級法院合議庭法官一致決，每一名職業法官都有否決權。他坦率表示，依目前情況來看，他個人認為儘管台灣並未直接廢除死刑，但在審案求刑上等於已經實質廢死。

 

         歐陽儀法官這天講談的是「臺灣的國民法官法制度及113年度憲判字第8號判決意旨之實務運用現況」。

         她說明了台灣職業法官的職責是收到電腦隨機指派的案件後，閱讀案件，聆訊，審議，撰寫裁決。國民參與刑事審判，從參與人數，方式及範圍上，主要分3種方式，國民法官制，參審制，陪審制等，是用的案件，最輕要本刑10年以上有期徒刑，故意犯罪因而發生死亡結果等。她也就台灣的國民法官和美國的陪審制度做了對應比較，提出數個113憲判8出爐後的實際應用個案，國民法官享有日費，旅費，雇主需給予公假，不得作不利處分，個資安全等保護。

波士頓洪門致公堂辦講座 細談醫療保險變化

波士頓洪門致公堂主席黎奕置（右起），胡振勝，元老余麗媖和講者Joy Cheney。
（周菊子攝）

            （Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓報導）波士頓洪門致公堂9月6日下午在華人經濟發展協會大樓舉辦「醫療護理（Medicare）101你需要知道的」講座，邀來執照獨立保險經紀Joy Cheney，深入淺出的講解，出席者紛紛感嘆，學到好多。

波士頓洪門在華經會大樓辦醫療保險講座。

            波士頓洪門致公堂主席胡振勝（Ted Woo）和前主席黎奕置表示，在職場工作的人，一旦退休，就得自己處理醫療保險問題，但美國的醫療保險十分複雜，很多人都不清楚怎麼選擇才對自己最有利，他們因次特地舉辦這樣的講座，希望能對社區大眾有所幫助。

            Joy Cheney在麻州，緬因州，新罕布夏州，羅德島州，以及康州，佛羅里達州等共11州持有執照，和Aetna，Fallon Health， Tufts ，United Health Care， Harvard Pilgrim等22家醫療保險公司合作，提供諮詢服務，為人挑選適合各人不同狀況的醫療保險計劃。

Joy Cheney （右）是醫療保險獨立經紀人。

            她先說明，什麼樣的人有資格獲得聯邦醫療保險基本計畫（Original Medicare）。首先必須是美國公民，或者是持有綠卡的永久居民，年滿65歲，然後再看是否符合殘障條件，是否患有末期腎臟病，是否染患肌萎縮側索硬化症（amyotrophic lateral sclerosis）等。

朱耀星（右）為講座當翻譯。（周菊子攝）

            聯邦醫療保險基本計畫（Original Medicare ）是一種按服務收費的計畫，意味著各人可以看任何接受Medicare 的醫生或醫療機構，不需要指定家庭醫生或在特定的醫療網絡內。然而，它不包括處方藥、視力、聽力或牙科服務，這也是為什麼許多人會額外購買 Part D (處方藥計畫) 和 Medigap (聯邦醫療保險補充計畫) 來填補這些缺口。

            聯邦醫療保險基本計畫的每月保費包括由所得稅來支付的A部分，以及由個人支付的B部分。

醫生，藥品和費用是選擇醫療保險的考慮重點。

Ａ部分是住院保險，視乎個人或配偶支付醫療保險睡的時間長短，可以獲得價值285元或者518元的醫療保險，涵蓋住院費用、專業護理設施照護、臨終關懷和部分居家護理服務。大多數美國公民和合法居民只要繳納足夠的 Medicare 稅，通常不需要支付 Part A 的保費。

退休後的醫療保險有medigap 和Medicare Advantage兩種。

這A部分的醫療保險，有個自付額（deductible）門檻，在2025年內，各人須先支付了1,676元之後，醫療保險才開始接續付費，而且是從開始使用福利的那天起開始計算，保險最多支付60天的費用，譬如住院，如果在60天後得繼續住院，在第61天到第90天之間，每天有419元的自付額等，在第91天到第150天這被稱為“終身儲備日（Lifetime reserve days）”中，每天有838元自付額，超過150天後，所有費用都得自己支付。

2025年醫療保險處方藥的費用。

            Ｂ部分，涵蓋門診照護、醫生服務、預防性服務（如流感疫苗）、耐用醫療設備（如輪椅）以及其他醫療必需品。在2025年，以個人身份報稅，年收入在10萬6千元以下的人，平均需每月支付保費185元，另加附加費。年收入20萬元以上，50萬元以下的人，平均需每月支付保費591元。

            一旦看醫生，住院，採購醫療設備等，個人只需支付醫療費用帳單的20％，其餘的80%由保險公司支付。

聘用醫療保險經紀人的考慮重點。

在醫療保險費用中，有個「收入相關的每月調整金額（IRMAA (Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount，簡稱IRMAA)，是根據各人兩年前的所得稅收入申報來計算的。例如2026年的醫療保險保費（B部分和D部分）是否需要支付額外的IRMAA費用，要看2024年的所得稅收入申報。

低收入人士可以得到額外補助。

至於登記參加醫療保險計劃的時機是，首次登記（IEP）應該要在年滿65歲的前3個月和後3個月之內。每年一次的註冊(AEP)，要在10月15日至12月7日之間，開放註冊其則是每年的1月至1日至3月31日之間，特殊登記註冊日期，則是在任何一場符合資格的活動之後，撥打1-833-551-0565來登記。另外，如果沒有在第一次符合資格十登記，可以在每年的1月1日到3月31日之間，登記參加A和B部分。

購買醫療保險時還可以考慮加保，購買保費較高，沒有共同付款，可自由選擇醫生，不需轉介，不包括一些例行檢查，在美國任何地方都有效的MediGap，或是保費較低，但需共同付款，可能有醫院選擇限制，看專科醫生可能需要轉介，可能包括眼科，聽力及健身等額外福利的Medicare Advangage。

Joy Cheney表示，各人在挑選醫療保險服務商時，有所謂的3D關鍵考慮，分別是自己最多能自掏腰包支付多少錢（dollar），需要看什麼樣的醫生(doctors)，得服用哪些藥(drug)。

至於D部分的處方藥醫療保險，2025年內的自付額上限為590元，要為保險計劃內包括的藥物支付最高25%的共同付費，最多會花2,000元。災難性承保階段在達到自掏腰包上限的2000元之後，所有在計劃內的藥物費用    由保險全額支付。

            Joy Cheney告訴出席者，像她這樣的保險經紀，可以選擇任何一家醫療保險供應商，而且她們每年客戶免費做評估。

            洪門致公堂元老余麗媖表示，參加這講座，她學到了好多自己以前沒注意到的醫療保險細節，最讓她覺得窩心的是，這樣的獨立保險經紀，可以不受任何一家保險公司限制，還免費提供諮詢。

波士頓世衛協進會秋季匹克球聯誼 （謝開明圖片輯）

波士頓世衛協進會9月6日打匹克球健身。

波士頓世衛協進會創會會長蘇鴻昌（右）和現任會長Riva Chen(左二）主辦。

波士頓世衛財務長陳玉瑛（前中）夫婦都是匹克球愛好者。

波士頓世衛協進會創會會長蘇鴻昌（右）和現任會長Riva Chen (左）主辦。

開打前先組隊。

會長 Riva Chen準備發球。

蘇鴻昌教練發球英姿。

EIink高管林朝仲也來健身。

紐英崙中華專協隊由董事長游子揚（中）帶隊。

蘇鴻昌（右）歡迎紐英崙中華專協董事長游子揚夫婦組隊參加活動。

胡文冀。

夏承賢。

教宗良十四世冊封15歲電腦神童為“聖人”

            (Boston Orange 摘譯) 第267任教宗，也是歷年來首位來自美國的教宗良十四世（Pope Leo XIV）今（7）日在聖彼得廣場（St. Peter's Square）宣佈，15歲的電腦神童Carlo Acutis是天主教第一位千禧世代聖人，讚許他用科技傳教，還贏得“神的影響者”稱號。

教宗良十四世從2025年5月8日就任後，這是第一次舉辦封聖彌薩，他在聖彼得廣場，當著數萬名千禧世代年輕人，以及帶著年幼子女夫婦的信徒們面前，冊封2006年去世的Carlo Acutis，以及另一名很受歡迎但早逝的年輕人，Pier Giorgio Frassati為聖人。

梵蒂岡說，有36名紅衣樞機主教，270名主教，以及數以百計的牧師們，登記了參加這場彌薩，可見“封聖”對主教團和普通信徒都有很大的吸引力。

封聖儀式原本安排在今年更早之前舉行，但教宗方濟各（Francis）4月辭世，“封聖”儀式因此延後。方濟各曾經狂熱推動“封聖”，說服教堂需要以“封聖”來吸引年輕的天主教徒。

1991年5月3日在倫敦出生，之後隨父母遷居回義大利米蘭的Carlo Acutis，會在聖餐前花禱告幾小時，卻限制自己每週只花一小時玩電子遊戲。由於他建了一個專門記錄天主教會所認可聖體奇蹟的網站，贏得「神的影響者」這綽號。他在2006年10月，僅只15歲時，被診斷出染患急性白血病，幾天後去世了。

Carlo Acutis去世後，他穿著牛仔褲，運動鞋的遺體，安葬在Assisi的一個玻璃棺內，數以百萬計年輕天主教徒湧往Assisi探望，並冒出許多他的遺體為什麼能保存得那麼好的疑問，尤其是他的心臟的一部分，還作為遺物的巡迴世界。

另一名獲封為聖人的是1901出生，1925年因小兒麻痺症而去世的義大利人Pier Giorgio Frassati。他出生於一個顯赫都靈（Turin）家族，熱衷於為窮人服務，做善事，向朋友傳道。

根據網路資料，方濟各教宗是最熱衷“封聖”的教宗，他冊封的“聖人”有942人。在天主教的“聖人”行列中，有81名已辭世教宗也獲封為”聖人“。

美國司法部9/4遞案控告波士頓市長吳弭等人妨礙執法

波士頓市長吳弭在9月1日的勞工節大遊行中，強調波士頓是絕不像暴政低頭。
（檔案照片，周菊子攝）

           (Boston Orange 綜合編譯) 9月1日勞工節大遊行時，波士頓市長吳弭（Michelle Wu）向數千民眾說“我們絕不退縮”，波士頓將維持「庇護城市」政策。 9月4日，美國司法部遞案，控告波士頓吳弭市長，警察局長Michael Cox，市政府和警察局等妨礙聯邦人員執法。

波士頓市長吳弭在勞工節大遊行中發言。（檔案照片，周菊子攝）

           這項編號1:25-cv-12456的訟案，由美國司法部民事組提出，以美國經由簽名律師代表為原告，提起民事訴訟，指波士頓市的「庇護城市」政策違憲，罔顧聯邦政府據美國最高權力之事實，以波士頓市2014年通過的「波士頓信任法案（Boston Trust Act）」來違反法律，指示波士頓市執法人員向聯邦政府隱瞞被拘留者的基本資訊，阻礙聯邦人員執法，造成國土安全危機，要求聯邦法院禁止波士頓市執行「信任法案」。

          美國司法部總檢察長Pam Bondi宣稱，波士頓的政策允許危險罪犯從被監督環境中釋放出來，不過訟案並未給出範例。Bondi聲稱，波士頓市的政策明確的是設計來破壞執法，保護非法外國人不受法律制裁。

          波士頓市長和其他的市府官員強烈的為「信任法」辯護，稱這訴訟完全沒必要，還說早前芝加哥也面對類似訟案，並未成功。麻州最高法院在2017年時，也曾裁決地方執法人員不能只是因為違反民事的移民法就羈押人

          包括聯邦參議員Elizabeth Warren，聯邦眾議員Ayanna Pressley都批評這訟案。他們便稱城市有憲法賦予的角力，限制執行聯邦移民法事務，

          美國司法部在波士頓市之外，還起訴了紐約的紐約市，加州的洛杉磯，以及新澤西州的幾個城市。

麻州公共衛生廳又發現兩宗人類感染西尼羅病毒個案

 State Health Officials Announce Additional Human Cases of West Nile Virus in Massachusetts

 

WNV risk levels now elevated in eight more communities

 

BOSTON (September 5, 2025) – The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) today announced two additional human cases of West Nile virus (WNV) in Massachusetts this year. One is in a man in his 40s who was likely exposed to the virus in Hampden County and the other is in a man in his 80s with exposure in Middlesex County.

 

These cases bring the total number of confirmed WNV infections this season to four. As a result, risk levels for WNV have been elevated to high in Ashland, Framingham, Marlborough, Natick, Sherborn, Southborough, Sudbury, and Wayland.

 

“Given how many mosquitoes have been found carrying West Nile virus this summer, we expected that there would be human infections this year,” said Public Health Commissioner Robbie Goldstein, MD, PhD. “Infections can continue to occur until the first hard frost of the season, which is likely still many weeks away. We are encouraging everyone to continue to take the necessary steps to protect themselves from mosquito bites, including by using mosquito repellent, wearing long sleeves and pants to reduce exposed skin, and to drain anything that may be collecting water outside your home.”

 

The first WNV-positive mosquitoes in the state this year were announced on June 17. Since then, 376 mosquito samples have tested positive for WNV so far this season from Barnstable, Berkshire, Bristol, Dukes, Essex, Franklin, Hampden, Middlesex, Norfolk, Plymouth, Suffolk, and Worcester counties. There has also been one animal case of WNV this year in a goat.

 

The risk for WNV is now high in 28 municipalities in Suffolk, Middlesex, Essex, and Worcester counties and moderate in 175 cities and towns in Barnstable, Berkshire, Bristol, Essex, Franklin, Hampden, Hampshire, Middlesex, Norfolk, Plymouth, Suffolk, and Worcester counties.

 

In addition to WNV, Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) has also been detected in mosquitoes in Massachusetts this year. There have been 21 EEE-positive mosquito samples and no human or animal cases so far this year.

 

Starting next week, DPH will update the public on WNV cases in Massachusetts via weekly press releases each Friday if new cases are confirmed. Surveillance information, including cases, will continue to be updated on a daily basis and posted online at Massachusetts Arbovirus Update. DPH encourages everyone to use this online resource regularly to stay up to date on risk levels in their community and around the state.

 

People have an important role to play in protecting themselves and their loved ones from illnesses caused by mosquitoes.

 

Avoid Mosquito Bites

Apply Insect Repellent when Outdoors. Use a repellent with an EPA-registered ingredient, such as DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide), permethrin, picaridin (KBR 3023), or oil of lemon eucalyptus (p-menthane-3,8-diol (PMD) or IR3535) according to the instructions on the product label. DEET products should not be used on infants under two months of age and should be used in concentrations of 30 percent or less on older children. Oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children under three years of age.

 

Be Aware of Peak Mosquito Hours. The hours from dusk to dawn are peak biting times for many mosquitoes. Consider rescheduling outdoor activities that occur during evening or early morning in areas of high risk.

 

Clothing Can Help Reduce Mosquito Bites. Wearing long sleeves, long pants and socks when outdoors will help keep mosquitoes away from your skin.

 

Mosquito-Proof Your Home

Drain Standing Water. Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water. Limit the number of places around your home for mosquitoes to breed by draining or discarding items that hold water. Check rain gutters and drains. Empty unused flowerpots and wading pools and change the water in birdbaths frequently.

 

Install or Repair Screens. Keep mosquitoes outside by having tightly fitting screens on all windows and doors.

 

Protect Your Animals

Animal owners should reduce potential mosquito breeding sites on their property by eliminating standing water from containers such as buckets, tires, and wading pools – especially after heavy rains. Water troughs provide excellent mosquito breeding habitats and should be flushed out to reduce mosquitoes near paddock areas. Horse owners should keep horses in indoor stalls at night to reduce their risk of exposure to mosquitoes. Owners should also speak with their veterinarian about mosquito repellents approved for use in animals and vaccinations to prevent West Nile virus (WNV) and EEE. If an animal is suspected of having WNV or EEE, owners are required to report to the Department of Agricultural Resources, Division of Animal Health by calling 617-626-1795, and to the Department of Public Health by calling 617-983-6800.

 

Learn more about mosquito-borne diseases, including all WNV- and EEE-positive results on DPH’s Arbovirus Surveillance Information page, which is updated daily, or by calling the DPH Division of Epidemiology at 617-983-6800. 

MAYOR MICHELLE WU ANNOUNCES NEW RESOURCES TO MAKE FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES MORE AFFORDABLE

MAYOR MICHELLE WU ANNOUNCES NEW RESOURCES TO MAKE FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES MORE AFFORDABLE City has expanded Boston’s Double Up Food Bucks Program to two new grocery stores in Dorchester and Roxbury, increasing families access to fresh, affordable, and healthy food.

BOSTON - Friday, September 5, 2025 - Mayor Michelle Wu announced new initiatives to support low-income residents, including the 143,000 Boston residents who participate in the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and expand access to affordable and fresh fruits and vegetables at sites across the City of Boston. As the federal government imposes new restrictions that attempt to limit Boston residents’ access to crucial nutrition programs, City departments have expanded Boston’s Double Up Food Bucks (DUFB) program to two new grocery stores: Nubian Markets in Roxbury and the Dorchester Food Co-op in Dorchester. Additionally, the Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) and Office of Food Justice (OFJ) launched a citywide marketing and outreach campaign about farmers market programs, ensuring residents facing constrained grocery budgets can count on city and state resources to help make fruits and vegetables more affordable.  “No one should face barriers when it comes to feeding their family nutritious food,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “Thanks to our partners at the Boston Public Health Commission and Office of Food Justice, we’re able to expand these critical programs to improve access to fresh fruits and vegetables across the city. With this diverse set of initiatives, we’re building a stronger food system for our community and making Boston a more accessible home for everyone.” According to the City of Boston and the Boston Public Health Commission’s Live Long and Well population health equity agenda, one of the leading causes of early death in Boston is cardiometabolic disease, and access to fresh, healthy, affordable, and minimally processed food is essential for cardiometabolic health. According to recent data analysis by the Boston Public Health Commission for the 2025 Boston Community Health Needs Assessment, nearly 19% of adults in Boston reported that, within the past 12 months, the food they bought did not last and they could not afford to buy more food.  This data underscores the importance of nutrition assistance programs such as the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Massachusetts Healthy Incentives Program (HIP). According to the 2025 Boston Community Health Needs Assessment Report, nearly 19% of households receive SNAP benefits, with the highest participation rates in Dorchester, Hyde Park, Mattapan, Roxbury, and the South End. The City of Boston and BPHC are encouraging residents to shop at farmers markets. Starting September 1, 2025, all Massachusetts residents paying for fruits and vegetables with a SNAP EBT card at farmers markets will automatically receive up to $40-$80 a month back on their EBT card, depending on household size. To encourage SNAP participants to shop at farmers markets, the City of Boston and BPHC are sharing multilingual, culturally relevant messages through advertising on buses, posters, newspaper and radio ads, mail, and social media to promote this campaign citywide. Residents can find their neighborhood farmers market at boston.gov/farmersmarkets. For information on where HIP can be spent across Boston and Massachusetts, go to https://dtafinder.dtadash.ehs.mass.gov to find farmers markets, mobile markets and farmstands. "We are advancing our health equity goals by helping families access affordable, nutritious food that supports both physical and mental well-being,” said Dr. Bisola Ojikutu, Commissioner of Public Health for the City of Boston. “As we continue to advance our Live Long and Well health equity agenda, we are addressing the root causes of health disparities so people can live healthier lives.”  The DUFB program, managed by OFJ, provides customers paying with SNAP a 50% discount on fresh fruits and vegetables. This year, DUFB has expanded to Nubian Markets in Roxbury and the Dorchester Food Co-op in Dorchester, joining existing grocery store participants: East Boston’s La Union Market and Butchery, Bella’s Market, and El Valle de la Sultana, and Davey’s Super Market of Roxbury. In order to receive the discount at the point of purchase, customers simply need to pay for their fresh fruits and vegetables with their EBT card and ask for the Double Up discount.  “Building a more resilient and sustainable Boston means ensuring all our residents have access to healthy, locally sourced food,” said Brian Swett, Chief Climate Officer. “These programs not only address critical food security needs but also strengthen our local food system, reduce our environmental footprint, and invest in the economic health of our neighborhoods. It's a powerful example of how environmental and social goals go hand-in-hand.” “We are working to ensure residents can count on local resources to help them weather changes to the landscape of affordable food access,” said Aliza Wasserman, Director of the Office of Food Justice. “There are major ripple effects of every SNAP dollar spent, and these programs leverage those benefits to keep dollars in the pockets of local farmers and support locally owned grocery stores, while helping make fresh fruits and vegetables more affordable.” “Access to nutritious foods is a critical public health tool, leading to healthier lives and happier families,” said Shelly Yarnie, DTA Associate Commissioner for Food Security and Nutrition. “We applaud the City of Boston on this expansion of the Double Up Food Bucks program, and encourage Boston residents to participate to maximize the food purchasing support available – along with SNAP benefits and HIP benefits that are available.” On August 14, Nubian Markets held a community launch event with OFJ to celebrate residents' access to DUFB. Boston’s DUFB program started in 2018 through a national grant, before receiving funding from the USDA Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program, known as GusNIP, in 2021. The program supports the City’s goals of increasing access to fresh, affordable, and healthy food for residents, as well as supporting small, community-oriented grocers by incentivizing shoppers paying with SNAP to visit their stores.  The City's Office of Food Justice provides funds from its operating budget, which are then matched by USDA GusNIP grant funds. Every dollar the city invests is amplified, making healthy food more accessible and affordable for families in Boston while supporting local businesses. Since the start of Boston's Double Up Food Bucks program, SNAP shoppers have purchased more than $1.6 million in fresh fruits and vegetables at local grocery stores. Over $850,000 of this amount came from the DUFB program discounts, which was made possible through the city's investment and GusNIP funds. Furthermore, preliminary surveys show the program is encouraging healthy habits, with 62% of participants reporting that they now purchase more fresh produce. Both DUFB and HIP are available for all SNAP beneficiaries/EBT cardholders buying fresh produce at participating Double Up stores or HIP vendors. For any questions and more program information, please visit boston.gov/doubleup or email food@boston.gov. "Our mission to build a hub for food access in Roxbury that builds connections to the African diaspora is bolstered when we can ensure fresh food is affordable to residents at all economic levels” said Nubian Markets cofounder and general manager Yusuf Yassin. “We have been excited to offer the Double Up Food Bucks program to our customers at Nubian Markets, and neighbors are excited to purchase more healthy food to make their SNAP benefits go farther." These campaigns are supported by the Boston Public Health Commission and the City of Boston Mayor’s Office of Food Justice, with funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) Program and the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program, project award no. 2021-70030-35762, from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture.