LYNN — With looming federal cuts to anti-hunger programs and food insecurity on the rise across Massachusetts, the Lynn Food Policy Council is strengthening its collaborative, systems-based approach to ensure residents have consistent access to healthy, affordable food.
“There’s no silver bullet to food insecurity,” said Norris Guscott, Lynn’s public health coordinator and chair of the council. “It’s not just about having food. It’s about whether you can afford it, reach it, prepare it, and feel empowered in that process. That’s why we’ve taken a holistic, targeted approach from day one.”
Formed during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic as an emergency task force, the council was formalized by city ordinance in 2021. Guscott, who helped write that ordinance, has led the effort ever since — working with 14 local organizations ranging from mutual aid groups to major health providers and food pantries.
The urgency is stark. Nearly 60% of Lynn Public School students qualify for free or reduced lunch. One in four older adults experience food insecurity. Guscott said usage of local pantries has surged, with many families visiting multiple locations to meet their weekly needs. Some residents, he noted, even travel to other cities, like Salem, to find enough food.
According to Guscott, the council has seen increased strain on local partners following recent funding reductions at the Greater Boston Food Bank — one of the area’s largest food suppliers.
“We’re already stretched with existing resources,” he said. “And now we’re bracing for even more need as those upstream cuts trickle down.”
One response to that challenge is the Phoenix Food Hub, a project of Greater Lynn Senior Services launched in collaboration with the council. Located downtown, the hub combines a food pantry, referral system, teaching kitchen, and delivery access in one place—offering a hands-on example of the council’s holistic vision.
“It’s one of the only hubs of its kind in Massachusetts, and it’s working,” Guscott said. “We host our meetings there. Meals on Wheels runs from there. It’s a space designed around dignity and health.”
That model recently earned statewide recognition, winning the Kenneth E. Pickard Innovation Award for municipal programming.
City officials say the council’s work is becoming a blueprint for other communities.
“In Lynn, we remain committed to connecting residents with a variety of food resources that enhance accessibility and minimize the impacts of food insecurity,” Mayor Jared C. Nicholson said. “We are grateful for the efforts of our partners, especially the Lynn Food Policy Council, whose work has been instrumental in ensuring our community has access to health-focused food and nutrition resources.”
To strengthen local capacity, the council is exploring a state Food Security Infrastructure Grant and considering a refrigerated vehicle to improve food distribution. Guscott also confirmed that the city recently received funding to hire a community transportation coordinator, who will help address logistical barriers to food access identified in city assessments.
Dianne Kuzia Hills, executive director of My Brother’s Table and a member of the council, said she’s encouraged by the collaboration even as she braces for what’s ahead.
“There are looming cuts to a lot of programs people rely on, and we’re quite nervous about how the need will increase,” she said. “But Lynn has an advantage in that we’re already working together. The council is a space where people with different expertise can develop real solutions.”
Still, Hills emphasized that the council is just one part of the larger effort.
“It’s a valuable tool, but addressing hunger takes a whole community,” she said. “From legislators to volunteers to neighbors looking out for each other — everyone has a role to play.”
She added that one growing focus is public education — making sure residents understand how upcoming changes to food programs will affect them.
“We all serve different corners of the community,” Hills said. “That makes us well-positioned to share that information in meaningful ways.”
For Guscott, the effort remains personal.
“I grew up here. I know what this city means,” he said. “We’ve helped thousands of families already — and we’re just getting started.”
