A collection of stories sharing food insecure Worcester community member’s experiences with accessing food
The story archive is a platform which amplifies the voices of Worcester residents who have lived experience of food insecurity with the goal to share these stories and advocate for change in our Worcester food system.
The Center on Food Equity in Worcester, MA values the lived experiences of our community members who have faced food insecurity. We want to uplift the voices of these community members, learn from them, and show others members of the community what is happening in their home. The stories in this archive are by and for the Worcester community, and can be used to advocate for change in the Worcester food access environment.
Storytelling is a powerful method for humanizing complex issues such as food insecurity. Stories connect us to each other, and they have the power to change story listeners’ knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors through the emotion and relatability they provide. We hope that this archive will be used by the community to help advocate for change in food and nutrition access when needed, whether that be in local Worcester communities or at the state-level. Sharing these stories at work meetings, with city council members, or with MA legislators may be some influential places to start.
This archive presents a collection of stories from Worcester community members in the four priority areas which the Center on Food Equity has identified as most important for change to occur in. Descriptions of the four priority areas are listed below, and the stories which we have collected in those priority areas are shared there.
Please click on one of the four priority areas to see the description and stories which accompany that area.
Priority Area 1: Federal Impacts
These stories show the impacts of the Reconciliation bill (One Big Beautiful Bill) on Worcester residents and how their access to essential services, especially food assistance benefits and support, will change or have changed. Generally, these stories demonstrate how federal cuts are impacting people personally.
Impact: These stories can be used to protest SNAP cuts, and stop future federal funding cuts. We can also use them to try to mitigate the losses from federal cuts through influencing the farm bill.
Click on one of the videos below to hear stories from Worcester community members about the impacts of federal funding cuts.
Below are some standout quotes from our storytellers on the impacts of federal funding cuts.
“A system that was already lacking is now further lacking help. Getting someone on the phone, getting a real person is impossible. Now we’re lacking staff to do that.” – Echo
“There’s an increase in demand at the pantries because people’s benefits are getting cut.” – Autumn
“The anxiety of the election and all of the bills is one of the main reasons why I can’t work.” – Kris
“A lot of us are disabled and we can’t just get any type of job. We have to have a lot of accommodations” – Kris
“Food is a timely thing. Hunger is a timely thing.”
Priority Area 2: SNAP Grocery Delivery
These stories demonstrate how SNAP eligible families with children in the home may have difficulty accessing food or groceries. The stories share the experiences of people who have had trouble accessing groceries with their SNAP benefits before enrolling in a home delivery option, and how home delivery options could help mitigate this difficulty.
Impact: These stories can be used to advocate for higher levels of support for SNAP home delivery programs which are equitable and decrease the barriers to grocery access. Examples of such programs are HIP/SNAP CSA’s with delivery and produce prescription programs.
Click on one of the below videos to hear stories from Worcester community members about grocery delivery using SNAP benefits.
Below are some standout quotes from our storytellers on grocery delivery using SNAP benefits.
“Why are we not adjusting as the world adjusts…when we know that it is an inconvenience, an obstacle, and a challenge?” – Echo
“Drivers don’t want to get your order if you don’t tip.” – Autumn
“The amount of time to get resources is unrealistic.” – Autumn
“It’d be great if they could mandate that there are no fees when you have to use your SNAP benefits to get groceries” – Kris
Priority Area 3: Grocery Closures and Access
These stories show that grocery access is limited in the Lincoln square and South Worcester areas as a result of recent grocery closures in Lincoln Square and on Cambridge Street. The stories showcase where people grocery shop and how accessible that store is to them, and whether they are able to purchase everything they need there.
Impact: These stories can be used to advocate for improved food access in the grocery closure areas which focuses on the needs pertinent to those communities (ex. affordability, cultural relevance, accessibility, etc.).
Click on one of the below videos to hear stories from Worcester community members who have been affected by recent grocery store closures.
Below are some standout quotes from our storytellers on grocery store closures.
“People figuring out how to uber or how to take a bus or multiple buses to and from places…that’s just another burden on a family.” – Echo
“When it [Stop & Shop] closed down, it definitely left a gap in my life in terms of access and where I go and the things that I need.” – Echo
“Since it [Stop & Shop] closed, it’s like, what now?” – Maria
Priority Area 4: DTA access
These stories show that meaningful access to the Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) is difficult to achieve, and the impact of the physical Worcester DTA office moving has exacerbated this difficulty of reach. Additionally, the mobile DTA app is difficult to use and inaccessible for many populations, and most people who try to reach the DTA by phone are disconnected (80%).
Impact: These stories can be used to advocate for DTA funding and capacity to increase, and especially for DTA administrative funding to increase. Since the DTA is expected to take on more cost-sharing because of the reconciliation bill, they will be less able to support their constituents with the current amount of funding. Also, these stories can be used to support the Act to Protect the Safety Net.
Click on one of the below videos to hear stories from Worcester community members about their experiences reaching the DTA.
Below are some standout quotes from our storytellers on accessing the DTA.
“I found that the system was not people friendly. And hunger is a people issue, it’s not a computer issue.” – Echo
“You just feel like you’re being serviced. It was very disheartening” – Echo
“I would mail the forms and the DTA would say they never got it. And when calling nobody would be able to stay on the line, the phone call just kept dropping.” – Maria
“I don’t unfortunately really have anything positive to say about trying to reach the DTA.” – Autumn
Interested in sharing your story? Fill out the Google Form below and we’ll reach out to you shortly.
Click below to learn more about how the archive was created, and who you can contact to learn more or ask questions!
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