Our Story
Our Mission
Food For Free improves access to healthy food through establishing innovative programming and partnerships to overcome barriers and strengthen the community food system.
We believe that access to healthy food is a fundamental right. We envision a future where everyone in our community – regardless of age, income, or ability – has consistent access to fresh, healthy, delicious food.
Through a combination of food recovery, strategic sourcing, and transportation services, we provide fresh, nutritious food to a wide range of community partners – including pantries, housing sites, schools, and social service organizations. Our programs address both immediate food needs and the long-term health impacts of food insecurity, while reducing food waste.
FROM GRASSROOTS ORIGINS
Food For Free began in 1981 when a group of friends in Cambridge realized that local meal programs were struggling to put food on their tables while perfectly good food from restaurants and grocery stores was being discarded. Using borrowed trucks, these volunteers gathered fruits, vegetables, and bread—food that would have been thrown away—and delivered it to meal programs, pantries, and shelters. Over the next two years, this volunteer effort gained the support of established nonprofits and local government. Food For Free was incorporated in 1983 and received 501(c)(3) status in 1985.
Since then, Food For Free has been working with a growing network of community partners to fight hunger and food waste for over four decades, and has grown to be a recognized leader in addressing food insecurity in the region. Our operations quadrupled during the pandemic in response to an increased need for food that continues to this day. Though the size of our organization has increased to allow us to serve over 130,000 individuals per year across Greater Boston, we remain connected to our Cambridge grassroots origins and committed to building a future where the whole community can thrive.
TO MEETING THE CURRENT NEED
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Greater Boston already had some of the highest food and housing costs in the nation. During the pandemic, the cost of food and local rates of unemployment both increased, making food insecurity in Greater Boston even worse.
Unfortunately, the need has not decreased in the post-pandemic era, and we are facing an ongoing hunger crisis that our community has not seen in generations.
According to this year’s Food Access Report published by the Greater Boston Food Bank, 40% of Massachusetts households experienced food insecurity in 2025, a substantial increase rising from 19% in 2019. Community food pantries, a critical resource in fighting hunger, often lack cold storage, space, and transportation infrastructure to maintain a variety of fresh produce for their patrons, particularly because food banks distribute these items in bulk.
Stocking food pantries with fresh fruits and vegetables is an important tactic in supporting the health of our communities, since food insecurity increases people’s risk for obesity and other chronic diseases. Food For Free bridges this gap and provides consistent access to fresh, healthy food to our community partners who serve our neighbors facing food insecurity.
Even with these staggering rates of hunger, more than a third of food produced in the United States is wasted. Food retailers and food service establishments are major sources of food waste. Much of this food is perfectly good to eat, but many businesses lack infrastructure to get their surplus food into the hands of people who need it. Food For Free is again able to bridge this gap by collecting food from places where it would otherwise go to waste and bringing it to places in the community where it can have a deeply positive impact.
WE ARE A CENTRAL HUB IN THE COMMUNITY FOOD SYSTEM
Food For Free works to ensure everyone in our community has consistent access to fresh, healthy food. We place a heavy emphasis on fresh produce, something that many food pantries experience barriers to providing to their guests. Through our close partnership with the Greater Boston Food Bank, Boston Area Gleaners, surplus food donors, and food distribution sites, combined with our large fleet of vehicles and expertise in logistics, we are able to maximize the efficiency of the community food system and ensure everyone has healthy food on their tables.
AND WE FIGHT FOR FOOD JUSTICE
We envision a future where everyone—regardless of age, income, or background—has consistent access to healthy food.
Food For Free is deeply involved in the conversation around food justice in the community, and has joined several coalitions, networks, and collaboratives to provide thought leadership and share information and ideas as we fight hunger together with like minded individuals and organizations.
In response to the Biden-Harris Administration’s March 2023 White House Challenge to End Hunger and Build Healthy Communities, Food For Free has increased efforts to be part of the conversation of how individuals, nonprofits, corporations, and governments can all work together in the fight against hunger. Food For Free is a member of the Make Hunger History Coalition that was launched in 2024 and led by Project Bread. This groundbreaking coalition is dedicated to eradicating hunger in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Food For Free has been involved in the Somerville Food Coalition (SFC) for nearly a decade, and has been a part of the steering committee for the past two years. The mission of the SFC is to connect individuals and organizations across Somerville to share information, identify solutions, and advocate for resources that support access to affordable, culturally inclusive food for all.
The Neighborhood Food Access Collaborative (NFAC), an initiative of Vital CxNs, is a Boston-based network focused on creating equitable food systems through community collaboration, education, and advocacy. Formed during the pandemic, it brings together residents, nonprofits, and institutions to address food insecurity with culturally relevant programs and peer-to-peer support. Food For Free is an active member of NFAC, contributing to efforts that improve food access across the city.
The Boston Food Access Council (BFAC) is a community-led organization dedicated to advancing equitable food access in Boston. Established in 2020 by the City’s Office of Food Justice, BFAC brings together residents, activists, organizations, and other stakeholders to address food insecurity through advocacy, education, and policy initiatives. The council operates with a focus on anti-racism, inclusivity, and participatory decision-making, aiming to create a culture of trust and transformation within the community. Since 2024, Food For Free CEO, Jessica Cantin, has sat as the Co-Chair of the steering committee.
The Somerville Community Agencies Network (SomervilleCAN) is a coalition of over 38 nonprofit organizations dedicated to enhancing collaboration and cohesion within Somerville's nonprofit sector. Established in 2015, SomervilleCAN aims to better serve the city's residents by fostering partnerships among organizations that address various community needs, including housing, education, legal services, and the arts. The network facilitates joint initiatives such as fundraising events, educational opportunities, and resource sharing to amplify the impact of its members. Food For Free is an active member of SomervilleCAN, contributing to the collective efforts in supporting the community on its Advisory Council.
The Cambridge Food Pantry Network (CFPN) is a collaborative group of local food pantries working together to increase access to nutritious food for all Cambridge residents. By sharing resources, coordinating efforts, and advocating collectively, the network strengthens the emergency food system across the city. Food For Free is proud to be a member of this network, partnering to ensure that no one in our community goes hungry.
The Cambridge Food and Fitness Policy Council (CFFPC) brings together community members, city departments, and local organizations to promote policies and programs that support healthy eating, active living, and food justice in Cambridge. Food For Free is an active participant in the Council’s efforts, collaborating to advance equitable access to nutritious food and wellness opportunities across the city.
To join our movement, please click here to learn how you can get involved.