To help local residents in need of food assistance, the Worcester Mayor’s Task Force on Food Security has developed an online tool. The website, foodhelpworcester.org, connects local residents from underprivileged neighborhoods with local providers of healthy meals and food. Designed to quickly and easily put visitors in touch with local food resources, the website is organized by user groups—from parents and families, to college students to the elderly. The website also presents data on food scarcity by neighborhood and profiles local food heroes.
The mission of the Mayor’s Task Force is to address the root causes of food insecurity and seek improvements to the accessibility and affordability of nutritious food in Worcester. The Mayor’s Task Force consists of representatives from the Worcester County Food Bank, Coalition for a Healthy Greater Worcester, Worcester School District, Worcester Housing Authority, Hanover Insurance, Fallon Healthcare, Harvard Pilgrim, MissionE4, Pernet Family Health Service, Catholic Charities, Friendly House, Worcester Department of Public Health, Urban Action Institute of Worcester State, Worcester Family Resource Center, Buen Samaritano, Worcester Community Action Council, UMass Worcester Prevention Research Center at UMass Chan Medical School, UMass Memorial, Regional Environmental Council, and community members.
