Why Food Equity Matters

Access to food is essential to health. Reliable access to nutritious, affordable and culturally appropriate food plays a major role in how people and communities stay healthy.

Across Central Massachusetts, many individuals and families face food insecurity, rising food prices and gaps in the regional food system. These challenges affect physical health, management of chronic diseases, mental well-being and financial stability.

What Food Equity Means

Food equity means people can consistently get food that supports their health, reflects cultural preferences and comes from stable, sustainable systems.

Strong local food systems also support community well being. Local farming and food production create jobs. They also strengthen local economies and improve food security.

When food is grown, processed and distributed closer to home, communities are more resilient and better connected.

Through listening and engagement efforts led by the Community Health Equity Team (CHET), community partners and shared data showed how food insecurity connects with other social drivers of health, including housing stability, transportation, income and environmental sustainability. These connections made food equity a key focus for advancing community health equity.

Why Food Became a Priority

Beginning in 2024, UMass Memorial Health worked with community organizations and internal teams through listening sessions, design days and at community tables. Food access consistently emerged as a shared concern where the needs of the community and the expertise and resources of the health system come together.

Community partners emphasized building on existing efforts rather than creating new, overlapping programs. Priorities included supporting local food producers, reducing food waste, improving coordination and aligning funding and resources. Food equity became a focus where collaboration could make a meaningful difference.

Introducing Food Equity And Sustainable Transformation (FEAST): 

FEAST is the first major initiative of CHET. It focuses on strengthening the regional food system through collaboration and long term planning.

FEAST works to:

• Improve food security and access for individuals and families
• Support local food producers, distributors and community organizations
• Strengthen food system coordination and infrastructure
• Reduce food waste and environmental impact

How FEAST Supports Community Health Equity

FEAST aligns with UMass Memorial Health’s Anchor Mission by using purchasing, investment and workforce strategies to support food equity goals. This includes working with local suppliers and community based food system partners.

By connecting clinical insight, community voice and health system resources, FEAST supports community health equity in helping to build a stronger, more sustainable regional food system.