Office of Food Access and Healthy Communities

About Office of Food Access and Healthy Communities

Mission statement

Mission: We aim to support health by improving food access and nutrition security and by creating ways to be active, connect and belong.

How we do that:

Convene & Connect
Inform
Evaluate
Advocate
Fund
Boost
Operate
Center outreach and engagement

Contact Information

Lisa Robinson

Director, Office of Food Access & Healthy Com

Monday - Wednesday
8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Thursday
8:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Friday
8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Phone Number

(617) 625-6600

4312

ofahc@somervillema.gov

Address

50 Evergreen Ave.
Somerville, MA 02145
United States

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Employee Directory

Convene and Connect
- Somerville Food Coalition. The OFAHC team serves as the coordinator for these monthly meetings, guided by a steering committee of community partners and members. Join here.
- SNAP working group. The OFAHC, the Community Health Worker Division, and SomerPromise co-facilitate a monthly SNAP Practice Group. The group brings together service providers who help Somerville residents apply for SNAP and other DTA programs to: 1) share updates on these programs, 2) provide a space for group problem solving, and 3) identify issues that could be highlighted in advocacy to policy makers or directly to the DTA.
Fund
- Partner with 10 community-based organizations to support food security programs with the allocation of nearly $1 million in Community Benefits Funds. See announcement here.
- Summary of programs here.
- Universal SNAP Match at all Farmers Markets. Watch a video to learn how to use SNAP Match and HIP.
- Urban Ag/gardening – supports Green City Growers instructing a 15-week curriculum to culinary high school students every year.
- Community Fridges with a weekly produce subscription from Boston Area Gleaners and for High School Culinary students to prepare ready-made meals for the fridges.
Inform
- Maintain the Somerville Food Coalition website.
- Produce and keep updated multilingual food resource flyers up to date.
- Disseminate relevant news, policy and advocacy information via social media platforms (Instagram/Facebook).
Evaluate
- Collect data to inform allocation of funding opportunities and improve upon existing initiatives.
- Community Food Assessments and progress reports. The 2026 Community Food Assessment will be completed late Winter.
Advocate
- Lead collaborative efforts to sign onto letters, engage people with lived experience to share their stories, and connect with local representatives on state level food access issues.
Boost
- Add staff capacity to food resource operations when needed, such as School Markets.
- Support Parks and Recreation in providing free summer meals in the parks. Stay tuned for the 2026 schedule.
Operate
- Somerville Mobile Farmers Market – bringing farm fresh, locally grown low cost produce to four neighborhoods in Somerville for 15 years and counting.
- See the markets impact from the 2025 season: SMFM summary.

Safe Routes to School

OFAHC is part of cross-sector city and schools working group centering safe streets for students and their families so they can walk and roll safely to and from school.
Somerville Parks Map

A seven-language map updated by the OFAHC team of all parks in the city.
Mayor’s Parks Pass Challenge

Enjoying parks and open spaces improves physical and mental wellbeing for all ages. See how many of our parks you can visit!
Tap Water Campaign

A collaboration with SomerPromise to create materials and present information about Somerville tap water. Use these Trust Your Tap flyers in seven languages.

Other Food Access Program Resources: Where else to find good food

DTA Finder: Connects you to ways to buy seasonal affordable produce with SNAP/HIP program. All Somerville farmers markets host farmers who accept HIP.
‘The Somerville SNAP Match: The Union, Davis, and Winter farmers markets accept many public benefits, including a $15 weekly SNAP/P-EBT match.
Somerville Public School Food and Nutrition Services: Stay connected on what’s for lunch and more!
9-5-2-1-0 Campaign: Shape Up Somerville, Somerville Public Schools, and Cambridge Health Alliance's campaign to promote balanced, healthy lives.
Click N’ Cook: Find recipes based on what you have in the house using Click ‘n Cook! Select the items you have to use, and this digital database will find recipes using those items.
Find Food Resources flyers: Looking for information on Somerville food resources or how to help others get the food they want and need? Find printable flyers here.

Learn More:

Learn how Somerville creates conditions to support health:

Open Space and Rec plan
Somerville by Design
Sustainaville and our Climate Forward Plan
Sign up for the Free Weekly City eNewsletter.

Other related resources:

OFAHC started as a city-academic partnership called Shape Up Somerville. Learn more about this initiative.

OFAHC's YouTube Channel

Do you lead exercise programming or offer nutrition lessons?

No we don't, and here's why: the Office of Food Access and Healthy Communities works to improve the environment we live in: rather than offering exercise classes, we work to make sure that everyone has access to safe active transit like well-maintained bike lanes and wide sidewalks; rather than offering nutrition lessons, we work to make sure that healthy food is affordable and accessible to all in Somerville, even if you don't have a car. However, we would be happy to connect you to places who do offer that programming! Check out our Ways to Get Going and Fresh & Local Food tabs for some of our favorite City resources.

What do you mean by Social Determinants of Health?

The WHO defines the Social Determinants of Health as "conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work and age. These circumstances are shaped by the distribution of money, power, and resources at global, national and local levels. The social determinants of health are mostly responsible for health inequities - the unfair and avoidable differences in health status seen within and between countries". This CDC infographic highlights how root factors such as income, education, safe neighborhoods and housing impact an individual's health.

What are you currently reading to inform your work?

Glad you asked! Right now, we regularly refer to readings on the MA Food System Collaborative website as well as Food Solutions New England’s 21-Day Racial Equity Habit Building Challenge. Also, read our Facebook and Twitter pages for some of our past favorites with commentary.

I’d like to learn more about the Office of Food Access and Healthy Communities or past work of Shape Up Somerville, or bring its principles to my community. How can I make that happen?

Visit the The Shape Up Somerville Story tab, which has all of our best background information. If you still have questions after you check out those resources, get in contact with us at the phone number or email provided above and we'll set up a time to meet.

How can I take part in OFAHC initiatives?

Email us at OFAHC@somervillema.gov for volunteer and internship opportunities, or to learn more.

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Summer Eats

Summer Meals is a totally free-of-charge program that provides free meals to all kids and teens ages 18 and under at locations across Massachusetts during the summer months.
Use Benefits at Farmers Markets

The Somerville SNAP Match and Massachusetts HIP program extend your SNAP benefits when you shop at Farmers Markets in Somerville.
Food System Assessment

Learn about the Somerville food access landscape.
Somerville Food Coalition

Find low cost, healthy food in Somerville.
Free Taxis to Groceries & Medical Appointments

Free rides to groceries and medical appointments for transit-dependent Somerville residents with limited incomes.
Somerville Mobile Farmers' Market

Bringing fresh, local produce to a neighborhood near you. This website has our hours, weekly produce offerings, and information on how to apply for food assistance benefits in Somerville.
Other Food Access Resources

Where else to find good food.