Need Help with Food this Summer?

School lunch provides a convenient option for many students and an invaluable service for families in need.

Healthy Bedford Coordinator Carla Olsen said the Bedford Food Bank is currently serving more than three tons of food to around 180 households each week. Around 40 percent of Food Bank users have Bedford Public School children.

With most public school meal programs on hold through the summer, or for anyone (with or without children) who needs help with food this summer, here are a few available local resources:

Bedford Food Bank

Pickup: Thursdays, 4 to 5:30 p.m.
Location: Rear parking lot of the yellow Town Center Building (12 Mudge Way)
Ordering: No preregistration or paperwork is required, just stop by
Website: https://www.bedfordma.gov/196/Bedford-Food-Bank
Phone: 781-275-7727
Email: [email protected]
Lunch: 60 lunch bags were handed out last week and some are expected again this week. Due to supply chain issues affecting product availability, limited storage, and people power, the Food Bank might not be offering supplemental lunch bags each week.

Anyone who could use the support with supplies should stop by on Thursday late afternoons. There is no appointment necessary and no proof of need required. The Food Bank offers bags of pantry staples, fresh produce and meat, dairy products, diapers, feminine products, pet food, and household supplies whenever available.

Open Table

Pickup: Tuesdays from 1 to 3 p.m. (seniors 65+), Tuesdays from 3 to 6 p.m., Thursdays from 1 – 4:30 p.m.
Location: 33 Main St, Maynard
Ordering: Onetime Account Set up, and then reserve groceries and lunch packs between Thursday at 5 pm and Monday at noon for the week of pick up using the online form, or call or email.
Website: https://www.opentable.org/order-form/
Phone: 978-369-2275
Email: [email protected]
Lunch: Order in advance to pick up three days worth of fresh lunches, juice boxes, and snack packs on Tuesdays and Thursdays. No ID or proof of need are required.

Open Table is available to anyone in living or working in the organization’s service communities that includes Bedford. The organization provides non-perishable groceries, fresh produce, dairy, and other staples as well as prepared meals.

SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) and others

SNAP is a program that provides a monthly benefit that can be used like a debit card when shopping for groceries and in-store or online. Bedford Youth Coordinator Mallory Fuller reminds Bedford residents that the Health & Human Services Department can help families with food insecurity sign up for SNAP benefits as well as find other emergency supports.