My Simmons

Food Access

We understand at times students might find themselves without either meal swipes or food for meals at home. The Government Accountability Office learned that more than 30% of college students experience limited access to food.

Community Resource Room

The Community Resource Room is a community-based program within the REEF Support Center that collects and safely stores food and household products for free distribution. For the purpose of our pilot semester, we will solely offer nonperishable food and household items, with plans to expand to both perishable items in the future. The Community Resource Room is available to undergraduate and graduate students, with the hope of expanding to our greater Simmons community over time.

Location: The REEF Support Center is located in A- 075, also known as the Commuter Student/Dix Scholar Lounge. The CRR and all items are stored in Conference Room C.

Guest Meal Swipe Bank

In continued search of more sustainable and accessible solutions, The Office of Student Affairs and Aramark Dining Services will now additionally offer a Guest Meal Swipe Bank as of March 2022.
Aramark Dining Services provides residential meal plans with 10 Guest Meal Swipes. Students who are enrolled in a meal plan can donate their guest meal swipes to our “bank” to be utilized by other residential and commuter students who are facing temporary food insecurity or who may request meals and points based on need.

This program is not a replacement for a meal plan but an additional method to increase student access to food. We encourage commuter students who are not enrolled in a meal plan to meet with the REEF Support Center for additional resources and support for more permanent solutions.

The Guest Meal Swipe program opens on the 7th week of each semester.

Subscribe to Free Food Notifications

  • Subscribe to free food notifications by texting @REEFCRR to 81010.
  • We will notify you any time there is free food available.

Share Free Food Notifications

Is there food leftover from your event that you would like to share with our campus community? Once you have subscribed above, send us a response message or email at [email protected] between 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm, Monday – Friday; and we will send out a notification to subscribers!

City of Boston Farmers Markets

Find your Farmers Market

We especially recommend Boston’s Haymarket (open weekly on Friday and Saturday): 

  • 20+ nationalities and diverse foods
  • Heavily discounted fresh fruits and veggies
  • MBTA accessible, $1-3 Parking

Community Fridge For Food Insecurity (National)

Freedge is a sharing mechanism aiming to reduce food insecurity and food waste, building a stronger community. We promote equal access to healthy food through the installation of community fridges (public refrigerators) that are used to share food and ideas at the neighborhood level. Other privately owned community fridges around the Boston area can be found using the map below.

Daily Table

  • Community grocery stores with a mission to provide nutritious, delicious food for 30% less than other supermarkets
  • Daily Table Website
  • Free delivery within 2 miles
    • Central Square | 684 Massachusetts Ave Cambridge, MA 02139
    • Roxbury | 2201 Washington Street Roxbury, MA 02119
    • Dorchester | 450 Washington Street Dorchester, MA 02124
    • Mattapan | 474 River St, Mattapan, MA 02126

Fenway Cares Food Distribution

Greater Boston Food Bank (GBFB)

The Greater Boston Food Bank (GBFB) partners with 500+ hunger-relief agencies, including food pantries, community meal programs, and other food assistance providers throughout the nine counties and 190 towns and cities across Eastern Massachusetts

Check out our agency Locator: A list of food assistance options in each community that we serve, the days and hours of operation, and other information you need to access food for you and your family.

  • Visit GBFB.org/need-food
  • Search your city or zip code for a list of agencies in your community.
  • Select ‘More Info’ for agency hours of operation and phone number. (We recommend calling ahead to verify agency hours.)

Lifeboat Food Pantry

  • Free, fresh food available to Boston residents with food insecurity.
  • Sign up at bit.ly/lifeboatbostonregistration
  • Every Tuesday and Thursday, from 4 pm to 6 pm
  • Boston Temple 7th-Day Adventist Church, 105 Jersey Street, Boston

Project Bread’s Food Source Hotline

Project Bread enrolls individuals in nutrition programs as well as refers to local food resources. Staff is available to assess eligibility for SNAP and provide help with the application. When relevant, they also connect callers with utility, fuel assistance, and MassHealth. All information is kept strictly confidential.

  • Visit ProjectBread.org.
  • Food resources in your community 1-800-645-8333 | TTY 1-800-377-1292
  • Hotline Hours: Mon-Fri – 8AM-7PM | Sat – 10AM-2PM

SNAP

Get help applying for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly food stamps, which helps people buy the food needed for good health. SNAP benefits are put on an electronic card that is used like an ATM or bank card, and can be used at most supermarkets, convenience stores, and some farmers’ markets. Who is eligible? SNAP is for everyone—families, seniors, disabled, homeless, unemployed, employed, veterans, and active military. If you are within the income limits listed, you may be eligible.

Contact us to determine your eligibility, to complete an application, or for help with your existing case:

SNAP 101 – Project Bread

Two Dollars A Bag Program

This program hands out fresh fruits and vegetables in Boston and Eastern Massachusetts. Anyone in need is welcome, and an ID or referral isn’t required. There are no income limits, and you don’t have to sign up ahead of time. You also won’t be turned down if you can’t pay the $2 bag fee.