Office of Food Initiatives

The Mayor's Office of Food Initiatives was established in June 2010 to engage the Boston Food Council, partners, and City departments to address directives set forward by Mayor Menino.

Directives

  1. Increase access to healthy and affordable food in schools, farmers markets, and stores, educate the public about healthy choices, and promote food benefits to reduce hunger and obesity,

  2. Expand Boston’s capacity to produce, distribute and consume local food through urban agriculture and distribution models to supply schools and local businesses,

  3. Build a strong local food economy through financing and supporting local food retail and distribution businesses, and

  4. Expand private and public partnerships to advance the food agenda.

  • Urban Agriculture Update

    Since January 2012, the Mayor’s Office of Food Initiatives, the Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA), and the Mayor’s Urban Agriculture Rezoning Working Group have been meeting monthly to draft Article 89. Article 89 will help open Boston to new urban agriculture opportunities, and a draft of the article is now available online. Neighborhood meetings on urban agriculture will occur throughout the summer, and you can join the conversation on Twitter using #UrbanAgBos.

    Urban Agriculture Working Group »

  • Request for Proposals: 2013 Bounty Bucks Program Management

    The Office of Food Initiatives is now accepting proposals to manage the Boston Bounty Bucks Program for the 2013 Farmers’ Market season. The Bounty Bucks Program makes fresh, healthy food more accessible for Boston residents of limited incomes, and also supports the establishment of farmers’ markets in all of Boston’s diverse neighborhoods. 

    View RFP »

  • Mayor Menino Calls for Farm Bill Enactment

    As chair of of the U.S. Conference of Mayors Food Policy Task Force, Mayor Menino joins 36 fellow mayors in calling for a Farm Bill enactment, which would ensure the continuation of crucial food system programs before the end of the legislative year on December 31, 2012.

    Farm Bill Letter »

  • Office of Food Initiatives Hosts Networking Session on Food Entrepreneurship

    Twenty four Boston food entrepreneurs, city and state officials and investors shared ideas at Boston City Hall November 20th, 2012.  Mayor Thomas Menino invited Wholesome Wave’s Gus Schumacher to co-Chair this unique effort to introduce investors and funders to innovative city food firms. Please see attachment Boston Food Innovators Share Ideas at City Hall to learn more about this session.

    Boston Food Innovators Share Ideas at City Hall »

  • Massachusetts Food Innovation Trust Fund

    All across our state, there is a food revolution that is changing the way we eat, the way we shop, the way our schools nourish our children and the way that our food sector strengthens our economy. Please see The Massachusetts Food Innovation Trust Fund Narrative to find out how Boston is leading the way by bringing stakeholders together to find new opportunities for funding food innovation.

    Massachusetts Food Innovation Trust Fund »

  • Mayor Submits New Legislative Initiatives

    On January 15, 2013, Mayor Menino submitted the City’s legislative initiatives for the 2013-2014 session, asking for the support of Boston’s state delegation. The City of Boston  is thrilled to announce the inclusion of “An Act to Facilitate the Growth of Innovative Food Enterprises in the Commonwealth”. For many months now, we have been discussing how we as a city, as a state, and as a region fund a sustainable food economy and the innovative ventures that are a part of the growing food revolution here in Massachusetts.

    An Act to Facilitate the Growth of Innovative Food Enterprises in the Commonwealth »

News & Press Releases »

Calendar »

  • See a listing of upcoming Food events.

    View Calendar »

Social Media »

Videos & Multimedia »
  • Meridian Market Cafe Grand Opening
    Mayor Menino, The Noviello family, and the East Boston Neighborhood Health Center President Jack Craddock join together for the Grand Opening of the Meridian Market Cafe.Watch Video »
  • 26th Annual bostonCANshare Campaign
    Edith Murnane, of Mayor Thomas M. Menino's Office of Food Initiatives, marks the beginning of the 26th annual bostonCANshare campaign with a celebration on City Hall Plaza. The event features scoops of Ben & Jerry's Greek yogurt with the donation of a can or $1 and pumpkin milkshakes from b good. Exciting, can-based challenges performed by athletes from CrossFit Boston illustrate the strong impact of CAN donations.Watch Video »