Connect with us

Massachusetts

1 in 3 families in Massachusetts can’t count on their next meal

Published

on

1 in 3 families in Massachusetts can’t count on their next meal


Local News

A report by the Greater Boston Food Bank reveals that hunger in the state persists amid growing concerns about economic insecurity.

Craig Walker for the Boston Globe

With pandemic-era aid gone and grocery prices still rising, food insecurity is surging across Massachusetts, now affecting one in three adults, according to a new report from the Greater Boston Food Bank. 

According to the latest annual study, conducted in collaboration with Mass General Brigham, 37% of Massachusetts households faced food insecurity this year, nearly doubling from 19% in 2019. 

Advertisement

In addition, very low food security — the most severe form, where a person must skip meals or not eat for the entire day due to a lack of sufficient funds for food — has nearly quadrupled to 24% in 2024, from 6% in 2019. 

“Hunger is not just an individual issue, it is a public emergency with astronomical economic and human cost,” said Catherine D’Amato, President and CEO of the Greater Boston Food Bank, in a statement. 

Rising food insecurity is raising the alarm amid persistent economic uncertainty, fueled by tariffs, trade wars, and fears of recession. 

Proposed federal budget cuts to programs like food stamps and school meals could exacerbate the situation. 

The recent closure of Boston-area food donors, such as Daily Table, Freight Farms, and Boston Organics, adds pressure on local nonprofits. 

Advertisement

“Far too many Massachusetts residents suffer from food insecurity, which has significant negative impacts on their health, well-being and security,” said Gov. Maura Healey in a statement. The administration partnered with the food bank to “keep working hard to combat hunger,” she added. 

The report found that hunger exists in every part of the state, with Western Massachusetts and the Boston area seeing the highest levels of food insecurity. Berkshire, Bristol, Hampden, and Suffolk counties reported that more than 45% of adults experienced food insecurity in 2023. 

Black households at 46%, Hispanic households at 62%, and LGBTQ+ households at 56% continue to experience outsized food insecurity, the report noted. 

Lack of food security has led to other issues with 40% of people – or fives times the rate in food-secure households – saying they went without necessary medical, dental, or prescription care, according to the report.

This year’s survey and medical expenditure data estimated that food insecurity drives $1.3 billion in emergency room and inpatient hospitalization costs.

Advertisement

Households experiencing food insecurity reported that they needed only $60 more per week for food, which would require approximately $2 billion annually to help alleviate food insecurity in the state. 

“Massachusetts may be doing all the right things, but without proper funding, benefits like SNAP and WIC are simply not enough to keep families fed, and many of them continue to make significant tradeoffs to put food on the table,” D’Amato said. “As a state, we can fix this. We have the power to solve hunger here in Massachusetts.”

The Greater Boston Food Bank has conducted annual research since the end of 2020 to examine the prevalence of food insecurity and barriers to accessing food assistance programs. 

The Greater Boston Food Bank is the largest hunger-relief organization in New England and one of the largest food banks in the country. 

Profile image for Beth Treffeisen

Beth Treffeisen is a general assignment reporter for Boston.com, focusing on local news, crime, and business in the New England region.





Source link

Advertisement

Massachusetts

Friday is colder with a chance of flurries in Western Mass. Boston’s first shot at snow could come Tuesday. – The Boston Globe

Published

on

Friday is colder with a chance of flurries in Western Mass. Boston’s first shot at snow could come Tuesday. – The Boston Globe


A chilly Thanksgiving is now behind us, and we’re looking at an even colder day on Friday for those of you starting your holiday shopping this Black Friday or just taking the day to relax and recover from a day of eating.

High pressure builds in from Canada today, bringing gusty winds. The air is a little bit unstable, especially over Central and Western Massachusetts, where some clouds could blow up this afternoon and actually produce a quick snow shower or a snow flurry. A winter weather advisory is in effect for the northern Berkshires.

Temperatures today will only be within a few degrees of 40 but the wind will make it feel in the upper 20s to 30s most of the day. It will be bright except for those clouds popping up and blotting out the sun from time to time. The most sunshine will occur from Boston south toward Cape Cod and the islands.

Forecast highs across New England on Friday.Boston Globe
Wind gusts on Friday may reach 20 to 25 mph across much of New England.Boston Globe

Clear skies resume Friday night with temperatures in the 20s and lower 30s, with the wind still making it feel like it’s in the teens late at night.

Parts of Northern New England could pick up a few inches of snow Friday and Saturday.Boston Globe

Weekend: Saturday brings sunshine; Sunday rain

Saturday is my pick of the weekend with sunshine and a cold start. Temperatures will again be within a few degrees of 40 in the afternoon. This is below average for this time of year.

Advertisement

A new storm system is poised to move well west of New England through the Great Lakes and then into Quebec Sunday night and Monday. On this track, a southerly flow of air will boost temperatures to between 45 and 50 degrees Sunday afternoon as precipitation arrives. This obviously means that we’re looking at rainfall. The rain will continue for the first half of Sunday night before tapering off, with temperatures remaining above freezing all night.

Highs on Saturday may only reach the low 40s in Greater Boston.Boston Globe
Scattered rain and snow showers will push into New England Sunday afternoon and evening.Boston Globe

Monday: Chance of a morning shower; Tuesday, snow?

Monday brings the chance of a morning shower and high temperatures in the 40s, with breaks of sunshine. This active pattern continues into Tuesday when a new storm system approaches. The track of this storm will determine what type of precipitation we have, but some areas of New England could likely see their first measurable snowfall of the season.

Of course, you may be wondering if this will make it into the Boston area or not? Climatologically, it’s less likely that the coastal plain sees anything other than a cold rain or a wet mix, but Boston may end up with some accumulating snow if the track is a little farther offshore. This offshore track would keep the cold air in place.

If Tuesday’s storm were to move a little farther west, then the warm air would flood in from the Atlantic, which is still relatively mild this time of year, and we would only see rain from I-495 eastward. It’s too early to determine where the rain-snow line will fall or what the total snowfall would be, but just know that your plans could be disrupted on Tuesday. Of course, there will be more on this later in the weekend.

Greater Boston: Mostly sunny skies for your Friday with temperatures within a few degrees of 40 and a gusty wind at times. Chilly on Saturday with temperatures again right around 40.

Advertisement

Central/Western Mass.: Look for some pop-up clouds mixing with the sunshine, with temperatures in the 30s to near 40 and a quick flurry from some of those clouds. It’s sunny on Saturday with highs 35 to 40.

Southeastern Mass.: Mostly sunny skies both Friday and Saturday with a bit of a breeze, especially Friday. Temperatures will be in the lower 40s in the afternoon, starting just under 30.

Cape and Islands: About 43 degrees should be a common high temperature across much of this area both Friday and Saturday, with plenty of sunshine and a gusty wind, especially Friday. This will make it feel in the 30s.

Rhode Island: Look for partly to mostly sunny skies on Friday with highs in the lower 40s along with the wind. You can expect more sunshine on Saturday with highs in the lower 40s.

New Hampshire: Look for partly sunny skies with a couple of snow showers and a gusty wind on Friday, highs in the upper 30s. Look for sunshine with highs in the upper 30s on Saturday.

Advertisement

Sign up here for our daily Globe Weather Forecast that will arrive straight into your inbox bright and early each weekday morning.





Source link

Continue Reading

Massachusetts

What’s opened, what’s closed in Massachusetts on Thanksgiving day 2025

Published

on

What’s opened, what’s closed in Massachusetts on Thanksgiving day 2025


Thanksgiving is always the fourth Thursday in November, and this year it falls on Nov. 27, one of the latest dates it can possibly be.

The holiday is a time for friends, families and communities across the United States to come together to give thanks, enjoy a meal together and, for many, to take a break from their everyday lives and work.

Americans should anticipate that most businesses and public services will not operate or be open due to the holiday.

Here’s a list of what is open and what is closed in Massachusetts for Thanksgiving day 2025.

Advertisement

Government

Federal Courts: Closed

State Courts: Closed

Federal Offices: Closed

State Offices: Closed

Municipal Offices: Closed

Advertisement

Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV): Closed

Public Libraries: Closed

Finance

The New York Stock Exchange and the Dow Jones: Closed

Banks: Most banks will be closed, but most ATMs will remain open.

Alcohol & Cannabis

Liquor Stores: Closed

Advertisement

Cannabis Dispensaries: Massachusetts regulators don’t identify specific holidays for when cannabis dispensaries must close, according to the Cannabis Control Commission. It’s up to respective dispensaries to choose whether or not to be open or closed, so check with your local dispensary. However, most will likely be closed.

Shopping

Retail Stores: Most retail locations will be closed, with some operating on reduced or amended hours. Check with your local retailer.

Aldi: Closed

Auburn Mall: Closed

Big Y: Closed

Advertisement

Costco: Closed

CVS: Open, hours vary

Hampshire Mall: Closed

Holyoke Mall: Closed, but department store, restaurant, and entertainment venue hours may vary.

Market Basket: Closed

Advertisement

Natick Mall: Closed

Price Rite: Closed

Safeway: Open, hours vary

Star Market: Closed

Stop & Shop: Closed

Advertisement

Target: Closed

Trader Joe’s: Closed

Walgreens: Closed, but 24-hour stores remain open for essential pharmacy services

Walmart: Closed

Wegmans: Open, check with your local store on hours

Advertisement

Whole Foods: Open with modified hours, check with your local store

  • Read More: I ate Thanksgiving Oreos so you don’t have to, with the worst flavor I’ve ever had

Parcel

U.S. Post Offices (USPS): Closed

FedEx: Closed

UPS: Closed

Transportation

Berkshire Regional Transit Authority: No service

Brockton Area Transit: No service

Advertisement

Cape Ann Transportation Authority: No service

Franklin Regional Transit Authority: No service

Lowell Regional Transit Authority: No service

Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA): The MBTA will have regular subway service. There will be weekend commuter rail service. There will be no ferry service. Other transit routes that typically do not run on weekends will not be in service.

Merrimack Valley Transit: No service

Advertisement

MetroWest Regional Transit Authority: No service

Montachusett Regional Transit Authority: Closed

Pioneer Valley Transit Authority: No service

Southeastern Regional Transit Authority: No fixed route service, but demand response service available

Worcester Regional Transit Authority: No service

Advertisement



Source link

Continue Reading

Massachusetts

RIP Jay, dedicated Mass. State Police mount

Published

on

RIP Jay, dedicated Mass. State Police mount


Local News

Jay, a Percheron horse, worked with Massachusetts State Police for over two years.

Jay. Massachusetts State Police

A member of the Massachusetts State Police Mounted Unit, Jay, a Percheron horse, died on Nov. 19.

Jay, 12-and-a-half years old, passed away from cancer complications, State Police announced on Facebook.

Advertisement

In March 2023, Jay joined the Mounted Unit at 10 years old from CNY Event Ranch in Oswego, New York, the announcement says.

“He immediately became one of our A-Team horses which meant he was a truly reliable ‘go to’ horse for our Unit members and was always head of the pack with his superior size [18 hands tall] and temperament,” State Police wrote.

Jay patrolled across the state, competed in Mounted Unit events in Kentucky, trained in Washington, D.C., and worked Patriots games outside of Gillette Stadium.

“Jay was always a main attraction wherever he went,” State Police continued. “His noble stature drew adults and kids to his side. He loved the attention and knew the happiness he brought to others.”





Source link

Continue Reading

Trending