HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 4419

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, September 8, 2025.

The committee on Agriculture and Fisheries, to whom was referred the petition (accompanied by resolve, House, No. 118) of Mindy Domb and Andres X. Vargas for an investigation by a special commission (including members of the General Court) relative to the sustainability of eligible emergency food providers, known as food pantries, reports recommending that the accompanying resolve (House, No. 4419) ought to pass.

For the committee,

NATALIE M. BLAIS.

HOUSE DOCKET, NO.                 FILED ON: 8/7/2025

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 4419

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)

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Resolve providing for an investigation by a special commission relative to the strengths and sustainability of the Commonwealth’s emergency food network.

Resolved, that a special commission is hereby established to study the sustainability of eligible emergency food providers, known as food pantries, in the Massachusetts Emergency Food Assistance Program (MEFAP). The commission shall study the strengths of food pantry programs and the challenges they face regarding the adequacy of state support, workforce development, organizational sustainability, governance, succession planning, and capacity to meet resident needs.

Resolved, that the commission shall make recommendations to address the capacity of the emergency food network, specifically the network of food pantries, regarding: (i) workforce development, training, apprenticeship opportunities, (ii) policies and technical assistance to support organizational sustainability, governance and succession planning, (iii) assessment of emergency food needed to meet the commonwealth’s demand, (iv) implications of increased need on projected purchasing and impact on state funding and private fundraising, and (v) the frequency of food pantry use by Massachusetts residents.

Resolved, the commission shall consist of: the commissioner of the Massachusetts department of agricultural resources or a designee, who shall serve as chair; the commissioner of the department of transitional assistance or a designee; a member of the Massachusetts food system caucus to be appointed by the chairs of the caucus; a member who shall be appointed by the speaker; a member who shall be appointed by the senate president; a representative of the merrimack valley food bank; a representative of the greater boston food bank; a representative from the worcester county food bank; a representative of the food bank of western Massachusetts; 4 representatives from food pantries appointed by the food bank coalition of Massachusetts, 1 of whom shall represent a food pantry operating in an urban area, 1 of whom shall represent a food pantry operating in a suburban area, 1 of whom shall represent a food pantry operating in a rural area, and 1 of whom shall represent a food pantry operating in a non-urban area; and 2 representatives who shall be participants in food pantry programs from diverse cultural, racial, social, geographic or ethnic backgrounds appointed by the Massachusetts food system collaborative.

The commission shall ensure that its meetings shall be open to the public, notes will be taken and made available. The appointment of the commissioners shall occur within 30 days after the effective date of this resolve. The commission shall convene its first meeting no later than 45 days after the bill’s enactment. The commission shall meet as often as needed to complete its report.

Within 18 months of enactment, the commission shall file a report of its findings and recommendations, together with drafts of legislation necessary to carry those recommendations into effect by filing the same to the clerks of the house of representatives and senate, the chairs of the joint committee on agriculture and fisheries, the chairs of the joint committee on children, families, and persons with disabilities; and the chairs of the joint committee on aging and independence on the results of its investigation and its recommendations, including proposals of legislation or regulations necessary to carry its recommendations into effect.

The commission shall dissolve 30 days after the submission of the report, unless upon a two-thirds vote of the commission, a continuance is deemed necessary to complete the purpose of the commission. The time frame of said continuance must be specified in the motion to extend time of operation.