Community Food Assessment 2026

What is the Assessment and what are its goals?

OFAHCs 2026 Community Food Assessment supports our mission to improve access to affordable and preferred food for all who live, work, and play in the City of Somerville. The assessment report and its recommendations aim to:

• Give readers a clearer understanding of food access in Somerville.
• Include a diverse range of perspectives and types of information.
• Examine broader components of the food system to identify connections and potential opportunities to improve food access.
• Inform future goal setting and budget planning related to food access and nutrition security.  

The information and recommendations in this report will guide OFAHC’s work for the next 5-7 years and inform the work of other City office and community organizations who share our mission.

How can I engage with the Assessment?

You can find the full assessment report here and a document containing the appendices here.

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• Read the Report
• Read the Appendices

OFAHC has also created summary sheets for each topic in the assessment. Translation of these sheets is in progress, check back for updates!

Introduction

Chapter 3: The Urban Agriculture Landscape

Chapter 4: Free and Low-Cost Prepared Meals

Chapter 5: The Free Food Supply

Chapter 6: Food Access Landscape and Preferences

Chapter 7: Food Benefits and Budgets

Chapter 8: Getting Food at Different Life Stages

Chapter 9: Food Literacy and Healthcare Initiatives

Chapter 10: Excess Food Recycling, Rescue, and Prevention

Chapter 11: Local, State, and Federal Policies and Funding in the Food System

How can I chat with someone in the Office of Food Access and Healthy Communities about the Assessment?

Find us at an outreach event this fall:

• Groundwork Somerville Harvest Festival, Oct 3, 12-4p, 198 South Street
• The Somerville Community Growing Center Harvest Festival, Oct 4, 2-4:30p, 22 Vinal Ave (Please note: this is the rain date).
• Ward 1 Community Meeting, Oct 13, 6-8p, East Somerville Community School, 50 Cross St
• Ward 2 Community Meeting, Oct 21, 6-8p, Argenziano School, 290 Washington St
• Union Square Farmers Market, Oct 31, 9a-1p, Union Square

Or reach out with questions or comments to ofahc@somervillema.gov. 

How can I get more involved in food access work?

OFAHC coordinates the Somerville Food Coalition, a group dedicated to sharing resources, connecting people, and advocating for a better food system. Find more information and join our mailing list at somervillefoodcoalition.org.