Bringing Community to the Table: The Stone Soup Café Joins Anti-Hunger Task Force

Greenfield, MA - The Stone Soup Café, a pioneering pay‐what‐you‐can community café in Greenfield known for its mutual‐aid model and rural food justice innovations, has been invited by Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) Commissioner, Ashley Randle, to participate in a working group as part of Governor Maura Healey's newly established Anti-Hunger Task Force to help represent Western Massachusetts
Announced on July 17, 2025, by Governor Healey and Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll, the Anti‐Hunger Task Force brings together a unique coalition of public sector leaders, nonprofits, food security experts, and individuals with lived experience to collectively respond to federal cuts affecting SNAP, WIC, and other food programs (Mass.gov).
"I'm so glad that Western Massachusetts will have a seat at the table," said Kirsten Levitt, Executive Director of Stone Soup Café. "Our community has shown how accessible food can honor people's dignity, build connection, and restore trust. I'm grateful for the chance to bring Stone Soup Café's model-and the concerns and voices of rural residents-to the statewide discussion."
While Western Massachusetts is home to just one-tenth of the state's population, the region experiences disproportionately high rates of food insecurity - especially in rural and underserved communities. At the same time, Western Mass is a powerhouse of food production, generating more than 25% of all the Commonwealth's agricultural output. Jansyn Thaw, Development Director at Stone Soup, noted "This stark contrast-between abundance and access-underscores the need for stronger representation in statewide food policy conversations." Stone Soup Café's appointment ensures that the voices, challenges, and innovations of rural and small-town communities are brought to the forefront of the Commonwealth's anti-hunger strategy.
Stone Soup Café joins other key organizational representatives, including Project Bread, Greater Boston Food Bank, Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, and the Worcester County Food Bank (Mass.gov). As a grassroots leader grounded in volunteer-powered service, Stone Soup Café brings powerful alignment with the Task Force's values:
Rural access & equity: Serving Greenfield and the broader Franklin County community through scratch-made meals and a pay-what-you-can "Community Store."

Mutual aid & inclusion: Operating with pay-what-you-can pricing, gluten-free and culturally responsive menus, and no barriers to participation, all powered by over 75 weekly volunteers.

Community healing: Embodied in every Saturday meal and seasonal gathering, from the Harvest Supper to inclusive outreach events, all aimed at building community through food.
Governor Healey remarked at the Task Force launch: "No one in Massachusetts should ever wonder where their next meal is coming from. Stone Soup Café is a model of compassion-and innovation-that will help guide us toward solutions that work for every part of our Commonwealth."
Stone Soup Café is honored to join this collaborative effort and looks forward to working with all Task Force members to design solutions that reflect rural strength and values with partners across sectors and across Massachusetts.

Contact:
Kirsten Levitt, Executive Director, Stone Soup Café
admin@thestonesoupcafe.org
(413) 475-0072
www.thestonesoupcafe.org
399 Main Street
Greenfield, MA 01301

About Stone Soup Café
Based in downtown Greenfield, Stone Soup Café is a volunteer-powered, pay-what-you-can café offering weekly meals and a community pantry. Founded on mutual aid principles, the Café centers inclusion, local sourcing, and food justice in its mission to nourish body and community alike. Learn more at thestonesoupcafe.org.

This release was published on openPR.