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Amid SNAP benefit cuts, these Greater Boston food businesses are here to help
Restaurants, grocery stores, and other food businesses are stepping up during the government shutdown, which has resulted in cuts to millions of people's SNAP benefits.
Boston area restaurants and food businesses are stepping up to feed the community as uncertainty looms over when some residents might receive food assistance during the federal government shutdown.
Businesses have shared posts on social media that show them partnering with nonprofits, accepting donations on their own to build community fridges, or offering meal deals to those who receive SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits that are currently delayed by the Trump administration. Some of the community assistance is also available to federal workers who are going without pay during what is now the country’s longest government shutdown.
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SNAP benefits, used by nearly 42 million Americans to purchase food, were threatened to be frozen on Nov. 1 because the program ran out of money, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The Trump administration blamed Democrats for the benefit freeze and continued shutdown. Democrats, currently fighting to renew expiring Affordable Care Act tax credits, have argued that there is a contingency fund to pull from for SNAP. Federal judges also ruled that the Trump administration must keep SNAP benefits afloat using the emergency fund.
Still, it isn’t immediately clear when benefits will go out and how much recipients will see on their cards. The government on Monday had agreed to release partial payments to SNAP recipients for the month of November, but on Tuesday Donald Trump shared on Truth Social that SNAP funds wouldn’t go out until the government shutdown ended.
While the funding of SNAP remains unclear, the running list of restaurants and food businesses below are trying to fill the gap.
Where to find free food in Greater Boston — from restaurants to farmers markets
Allandale Farm
A Brookline farm is starting a free farmers market in response to the ongoing government shutdown threatening SNAP benefits. Allandale Farm announced Wednesday on Facebook that it had partnered with the historic Loring Greenough House in Jamaica Plain to set up a free produce pickup program. Iggy’s Bread in Cambridge will also donate bread to the market, according to the post.
- When: The first three Thursdays of November from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Where: 12 South St., Jamaica Plain
American Flatbread
Multiple locations of this pizza chain are offering free small medicine wheel pizzas, one per day, per customer with a SNAP card. The offer is only available for takeout and lasts for however long the government is shut down.
- When: Daily
- Where: 76 Guest St., Brighton; 85 Green St., Worcester
Blacker’s Bakeshop
Every Wednesday evening and Sunday afternoons in Newton, Blacker’s is hosting a free bread table for anyone to take home what they need. Last Sunday, Blacker’s was also joined by Ina’s Kitchen, which brought free soup to the community table.
- When: Every Sunday from 2 to 3:30 p.m. and Wednesday from 5 to 6:30 p.m.
- Where: 543 Commonwealth Ave., Newton
Brothers & Sisters Co.
The Brookline coffee shop helps maintain a community fridge, known as Jennifer Coolfridge, outside its shop with the help of community groups Brookline For the Culture, Brookline Muslim Friends, and Bowls4Boston. The organizations and businesses behind the fridge are asking for donations, as well as inviting residents to take what they need at any time.
- When: Daily
- Where: 7 Station St., Brookline
Butternut Bakehouse
With two locations, this bakery has always offered a community card program, which customers can donate to or use to get free food when needed. But now both locations are offering free hot or iced coffee to guests who donate $4 or more to the community card. Those who need to use the community card can ask to use it for any reason, the bakery said on Instagram.
- When: During business hours
- Where: 787 Massachusetts Ave., Arlington; 49-51 Leonard St., Belmont
Ebo Grocery
In Eastie, a gourmet grocery store is accepting donations of all kinds — non-perishable grocery items, diapers, Venmo payments, and more — during the ongoing issues with SNAP benefits. The owner of Ebo is using cash donations to purchase goods at Market Basket. For residents in need of food, the donated grocery items will be placed outside of the business for anyone to grab, no questions asked.
- When: Donations accepted during business hours
- Where: 110 Meridian St., East Boston
Joe Angelo’s
The Brockton bar and restaurant is offering meal deals amid the cuts to SNAP benefits. For $5.95, diners can choose between a house salad with grilled chicken, ziti with two meatballs, American chop suey, housemade soup with a grilled cheese sandwich, cheese pizza, or two hot dogs with chips.
- When: Available daily
- Where: 11 Crescent St., Brockton
Neighborhood Produce
This Somerville grocery store is running a sale at both its locations on items like broth, pasta, tomatoes, and other canned goods. Customers can either take the goods home or donate those purchased grocery items. Neighborhood Produce also donates its “damaged and imperfect foods” to the community fridge in Somerville and the Food Link charity in Arlington, and encourages its customers to do the same.
- When: Open during business hours
- Where: 415 Medford St. and 691 Broadway, Somerville
Ritcey East
SNAP recipients can get free meals over at this comfort food spot in Watertown while benefits are delayed. Ritcey East is offering free frozen prepared meals for those who make an order using the restaurant’s online ordering portal during business hours. The Watertown restaurant is also asking for food drive donations, and those who do bring in non-perishable food items will receive a coupon for free fried pickles.
- When: During business hours
- Where: 208 Waverley Ave., Watertown
Seoul Kitchen
Both locations of a Korean restaurant are offering a free family takeout meal, which includes Korean dumplings, beef bulgogi, Kang’s chicken, and veggie yaki udon, through the duration of the government shutdown. Those who show either their SNAP benefits card or their federal ID can enjoy the meal either at the restaurant or for takeout. Seoul is also accepting donations from the community in order to continue offering the free family meal.
- When: Tuesdays through Thursdays
- Where: 142 Littleton Rd., Westford; 20 Central St., Leominster
Suya Joint
The West African restaurant, located in Roxbury and Providence, Rhode Island, is offering free community meals every Monday through the month of November. Visitors who show a benefits card can get a Jollof pasta meal free of charge.
- When: Every Monday from noon to 2 p.m.
- Where: 185 Dudley St., Roxbury
Taco John’s
The Massachusetts locations of a Mexican fast-food chain has extended its offerings in light of the freeze on SNAP benefits. Anyone in need can order a free beef or bean burrito with a junior Potato Olés, one per guest, once a day, and no questions asked. Also every Thursday, Taco John’s will donate $0.50 from each sale of their Taco Bravo to local food banks.
- When: Free meals offered daily from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Taco Bravo donation only on Thursdays
- Where: 77 Summer St., Downtown Boston; 536 N. Main St., Leominster
Thistle & Leek
A Newton restaurant is hosting a gift card drive through Thanksgiving, with 25% of gift card sales going toward donations to food recovery nonprofit Spoonfuls, which is also based in Newton.
- When: Now through Thanksgiving
- Where: Purchase here
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