Restaurants Receive Grants to Address Food Insecurity

September 30, 2025

Kelsey Schiller, 857-325-3477
kschiller@massdevelopment.com

BOSTON – Today, MassDevelopment announced $900,000 in grants from the Food Insecurity Grant Program for Independent Restaurants, a program in which independent restaurants in Massachusetts receive funding to prepare and supply meals and other food products for nonprofit meal distributors with the goal of helping address food insecurity in the state. A total of 31 restaurants received grants over the course of this year ranging from $7,000 to $45,000 to prepare and supply food to be delivered at no cost to food banks and pantries, senior centers, schools, and emergency food distribution centers supporting individuals and families in the Commonwealth. MassDevelopment contracted with Local Enterprise Assistance Fund and Franklin County Community Development Corporation to administer the grants and work with the restaurants to collect, deliver, and distribute the food.  

“The benefits of the Food Insecurity Grant Program for Independent Restaurants are two-fold, strengthening our local restaurants and food-service supply chains while at the same time enhancing access to high-quality prepared meals and food products for those facing food insecurity in Massachusetts,” said Economic Development Secretary Eric Paley, who serves as chair of MassDevelopment’s Board of Directors. “Through MassDevelopment, we are pleased to award $900,000 in grants to local restaurants across the state with the infrastructure, staff, capacity, and desire to produce meals and other food products for individuals and families in need.”

“Massachusetts is fortunate to be home to many local restaurants that create jobs and vibrancy in our communities, and this program is creating a new source of revenue to help them stay competitive while also seeking to address food insecurity statewide,” said MassDevelopment President and CEO Navjeet Bal. “We are grateful to our small business support partners Local Enterprise Assistance Fund and Franklin County Community Development Corporation, whose staff have played an instrumental role in designing and administering this program. Their deep relationships and on-the-ground knowledge have been essential in ensuring that resources reach the communities most in need with care, dignity, and efficiency.”

The Food Insecurity Grant Program for Independent Restaurants was created by the former Mass Growth Capital Corporation. In February 2025, Mass Growth Capital Corporation merged with MassDevelopment, which now administers the program.

“According to a report from the Greater Boston Food Bank and Mass General Brigham, the percentage of Massachusetts households experiencing very low food security increased from 6% in 2019 to 24% in 2024,” said Local Enterprise Assistance Fund Senior Financial Analyst Fatiha Ainane and Financial Analyst Jordan Browne. “The need for creative, community-based solutions is clear. The program not only supports the financial health of independent restaurants, their employees but also ensures families receive nutritious meals. One recipient expressed that this was their first hot meal in days while living in a shelter without a kitchen. This is our mission in action - strengthening small businesses to enhance community well-being.”

“By providing financial support to local restaurants, while simultaneously increasing access to healthy meals for people facing food insecurity, this program is truly a win-win,” said Franklin County Community Development Corporation Program Manager Hannah Sobel. “At Franklin County CDC, we’re honored to administer this initiative in central and western Massachusetts as part of our ongoing commitment to supporting entrepreneurs and strengthening our region’s food system.”

Full list of awarded projects:

•    Lili's Restaurant (Amherst) – $7,560 
•    Hillside Pizza (Bernardston) – $11,900 
•    Fresh Food Generation (Boston) – $45,000 
•    Merengue (Boston) – $45,000 
•    Italian Kitchen (Brockton) – $45,000 
•    Luanda Restaurant & Event Space (Brockton) – $45,000 
•    Ponde Juancho (Chelsea) – $45,000 
•    Milano's (Chicopee) – $34,560 
•    Simple Man Saloon (Clinton) – $34,500 
•    Two Sisters Catering (Dartmouth) – $45,000 
•    Lenzi’s Catering (Dracut) – $45,000 
•    Chair City Diner (Gardner) – $33,750 
•    Mesa Verde (Greenfield) – $21,980 
•    Pulse Café (Hadley) – $8,400 
•    Wildwood BBQ (Hadley) – $7,000 
•    Boathouse Bistro (Hingham) – $45,000 
•    Hamel's (Holyoke) – $33,653 
•    Salvatore’s River Walk (Lawrence) – $45,000 
•    Polish American Citizens Club (Ludlow) – $25,600 
•    Vanished Valley Brewing Co. (Ludlow) – $9,000 
•    Bigg Daddy's (North Adams) – $34,200 
•    Uya Poke Bowl (Northampton) – $15,108 
•    La Veracruzana (Northampton) – $19,500 
•    BB's Hot Spot    (Pittsfield) – $11,420     
•    Marie's North Street Eatery (Pittsfield) – $13,000 
•    Mazzeos (Pittsfield) – $10,000 
•    Rincon Limeno (Revere) $45,000 
•    Tuckers (Southwick) – $34,530 
•    Elegant Affairs (Springfield) – $21,960
•    Firebox (Weston) – $27,829 
•    Tembo Grill (Worcester) – $34,550

MassDevelopment, the state’s development finance agency and land bank, delivers financing solutions, real estate expertise, and other assistance to strengthen and grow the Massachusetts economy. We partner with businesses, nonprofits, developers, banks, and municipalities, providing resources to help create jobs, build housing, and foster vibrant communities across the state. During FY2025, MassDevelopment financed or managed 409 projects generating investment of more than $4.65 billion in the Massachusetts economy. These projects are estimated to create or support 25,246 jobs and build or preserve 2,867 housing units.