Zakim bridge in view over the water in Boston

Share this story with a fellow Bostonian and help keep our community fed. | Photo by @emilydiercksphotography

More than 630,000. That’s how many Bay State households will be affected by the end of additional Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program — aka SNAP — benefits beginning next month. On average, Boston-based SNAP users were receiving $144 per month in the emergency allotments.

With household food insecurity nearly doubling in our state during the pandemic, we’re helping Bostonians stock up on information about six programs + organizations working to fight for food justice.

Community fridges

Take what you need, give what you can. These volunteer-run fridges are typically stocked with groceries ranging from fresh produce to canned and packaged foods. Check out this map of the 20+ neighborhood fridges around Boston.

The Greater Boston Food Bank

The largest hunger relief organization in New England distributed more than 90 million meals last year. The nonprofit serves nine Massachusetts counties, including Suffolk County. Locate your nearest food pantry.

Summer Eats

Local organizations transform into meal sites over the summer, providing breakfasts and lunches to youth 18 years and under. Interested groups can fill out this form by Friday, April 28 to host meals and expand healthy food access for kids + teens this year.

Outdoor fridge reads "Take what you need, leave what you can" — Consult this guide of safe items to bring to your local community fridge. | Photo by @hibiscushoops

Healthy Incentives Program

Residents who receive SNAP benefits can earn a dollar-for-dollar match on their EBT card after purchasing fresh fruits + vegetables. Find the list of participating farmers markets.

Project Bread

This Massachusetts-based food assistance program offers a free hotline to help residents navigate various nutrition programs like School Meals. The group’s next annual “Walk for Hunger” is scheduled for Sunday, May 7 around the Boston Common.

Daily Table

Visit the Roxbury, Cambridge, or Dorchester locations to shop for affordable groceries (think: SNAP-eligible prepared meals). There are also free cooking classes available in the Codman Square Health Center Teaching Kitchen.

Bonus: Visit the Mayor’s Office of Food Justice for more initiatives, from urban farming to local food forests.

EVENTS

Click here to have your event featured.

Tuesday, March 14

WBUR CitySpace: Lauren Ko | Tuesday, Mar. 14 | 6:30 p.m. | WBUR CitySpace, 890 Commonwealth Ave., Boston | $5-25 | Learn about piemaking from Lauren Ko, author of the bestselling book “Pieometry: Modern Tart Art and Pie Design.”

Wednesday, March 15

Board Game Night | Wednesday, Mar. 15 | 6-8 p.m. | Lamplighter Broadway, 284 Broadway, Cambridge | Free to attend | Sip a craft brew while you play from the brewery’s expanded collection of board games.
Write of Spring 2023 | Wednesday, Mar. 15 | 8 p.m. | Berklee Performance Center, 136 Massachusetts Ave., Boston | $10-$15 | See the local college’s annual spring concert with jazz arrangements by the faculty.

Thursday, March 16

St. Patrick’s Day Courtyard Crawl | Thursday, Mar. 16 | 5-10 p.m. | The Charles River Speedway, 525 Western Ave., Brighton | Free to attend | Grab a punch card when you enter the Brighton market + visit each stop for the chance to win a $100 gift card.
Third Thursdays | Thursday, Mar. 16 | 7 p.m. | Brookline Booksmith, 279 Harvard St., Brookline | Free | Enjoy an evening of poetry at the local bookstore with Maya Pindyck, Adrienne Marie Barrios, Jennifer Franklin + Deborah Leipziger.
Fortune Feimster: Live Laugh Love! | Thursday, Mar. 16 | 7:30 p.m. | Chevalier Theatre, 30 Forest St., Medford | $35-$65 | See the stand-up comedian, writer, and actor behind the Netflix special “Sweet & Salty.”
Giancarlo Guerrero conducts Górecki and Wolfe | Thursday, Mar. 16-Saturday, Mar. 18 | Times vary | Symphony Hall Boston, 301 Massachusetts Ave., Boston | $25-$50 | Giancarlo Guerrero will lead American composer Julia Wolfe’s BSO co-commissioned “Her Story,” featuring the Lorelei Ensemble women’s vocal group.*

We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

100+ MORE EVENTS

EAT

Explore Boston’s culinary scene while enjoying delicious deals 🍽️

Two friends taking a selfie while dining out during Meet Boston's Dine Out Boston event.

Dine Out Boston happens twice a year, giving locals and visitors an opportunity to sample area restaurants at special prices. | Photo provided by Meet Boston

Let’s eat, Boston. Grab your BFF (read: best foodie friend), and get ready for Dine Out Boston, happening now through March 25.

Take part in the city’s premier dining showcase and enjoy exclusive menus and unbeatable prices at participating restaurants citywide. Whether you’re heading out for lunch or dinner, check the lineup of participating restaurants to try something new or save on old faves.

Trust us, these deals are too delicious to miss.*

BROWSE MENUS + BOOK A TABLE

NEWS NOTES

Weather

42º | Rain and snow | 100% chance of rain
A winter storm watch is currently in effect for the Boston area through tomorrow morning, as well as a high wind warning for the coastline. We can expect wind gusts up to 65 mph, possible power outages, and anywhere from four to eight inches of snow. ❄️

Civic

The city launched a free, virtual Postpartum Education and Support Group. The 10-week pilot program hopes to create a safe space for people experiencing pregnancy and postpartum. Attend tomorrow’s online informational session at 6 p.m. to learn more.

Health

The wicked smaht scientists from MIT, Boston University, Tufts University, and Mass General Hospital have collaborated on a new COVID-19 vaccine. The vaccine, produced by Acuitas Therapeutics, is currently being tested in small clinical trials. (Boston.com)

Arts

Boston Youth Symphony Orchestras is moving into brand new digs at 235 Huntington Ave., just across the street from Symphony Hall. The BYSO Youth Center for Music space will help the program expand educational offerings to young musicians. 🎵 (Boston Globe)

Concert

Drake is bringing his “It’s All a Blur” tour to our city — the most-streamed artist in the US last year will be at TD Garden for two performances on Tuesday, July 11 + Wednesday, July 12. Tickets for both shows go on sale the afternoon of Friday, March 17. 🎤 (Boston.com)

Plan Ahead

Get ready to laugh along with comedian Ali Wong this summer. Tickets to the Friday, July 28 performance at MGM Music Hall go on sale to the general public Friday, March 17 at 10 a.m.

Biz

ICYMI — California-based Silicon Valley Bank failed on Friday. The City is encouraging Boston-based entrepreneurs + residents affected by the bank’s closure to share their stories and request support through this form. (WBUR)

Number

$78,752. That’s the salary needed to “live comfortably” in the Boston metro area, according to a recent SmartAsset report. The study used MIT’s Living Wage Calculator to calculate the basic cost of living for a single person with no kids. 💸 (CBS Boston)

Shop

Getting adjusted to daylight saving time? Take a sip from one of our coffee partners. Try Midnight Oil from Blanchard’s Coffee or Organic Matcha from Matcha Nude. We’re already feeling refreshed. ☕

Travel

Summer travel is just around the corner. On our radar: this mid-century modern stay in Martha’s Vineyard. For something a little more tropical, our pick is this seaside cottage in St. John. If international travel is calling your name, this charming home along the French Riviera is for you.*

Content marked with an * is brought to you by our advertising partners and helps make this newsletter free.

LIFESTYLE

New local market to shop 🛍️

Landscape view of Boston City Hall Plaza and downtown area

A local market promoting small businesses? Take all our money. | Photo by @zeeeke.schwartz

If you haven’t checked out the updated City Hall Plaza yet, here’s another reason to swing by. The Boston Artisan Market kicks off this Friday, March 17.

Hosted in partnership with Bogosplit, the market will showcase rotating local designers and vendors (think: clothing, skincare products, jewelry, and wearable art).

It’s all happening at the pavilion, a new space added as part of the $95 million renovation project.

The market will jumpstart each weekend with “Fashion Fridays,” featuring a fashion show highlighting local models, influencers, and DJs. Plus, there will be Dominican eats available from the Ratata Chimi food truck.

Plan to swing by Fridays from 4 to 8 p.m., Saturdays from 12 to 8 p.m., and Sundays from 12 to 4 p.m. until Saturday, May 6.

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Sara.

Editor’s pick: Attention fellow Somerville residents — I couldn’t keep this exciting foodie news to myself. It’s looking like Michette Bakery is almost ready to open its brick and mortar location at 164 Broadway.

You already know I’ll be first in line to grab a croissant + latte when it opens later this month. 🥐

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Take a walk along the Irish Heritage Trail. 🇮🇪

Connect with us.

Editorial: Jessica Burton, Sara Frazier, Josh Kranzberg, Emily Shea, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Dayten Rose, Sarah Leonhardt, Katie Smith | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Peter Baldassare | Advertise with us.

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