Two Brockton restaurants have received $45,000 grants to help combat food insecurity in Massachusetts.
Italian Kitchen and Luanda Restaurant & Event Space are among 31 restaurants statewide to receive funding from the Food Insecurity Grant Program for Independent Restaurants, according to a community announcement.
The program, administered by MassDevelopment, aims to support independent restaurants in preparing and supplying meals to nonprofit meal distributors.
Luanda Restaurant & Lounge is located at 453 Centre St. in Brockton, on Wednesday, April 7, 2021.
Grants range from $7,000 to $45,000
The grants, which range from $7,000 to $45,000, are intended to help restaurants prepare and supply food to be delivered at no cost to food banks and pantries, senior centers, schools and emergency food distribution centers.
MassDevelopment contracted with Local Enterprise Assistance Fund and Franklin County Community Development Corporation to administer the grants and work with the restaurants to collect, deliver and distribute the food.
Josue Da Cunha of the Italian Kitchen in Brockton takes a tray of fresh meatballs and takes them to the fryer on Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023.
Food insecurity is on the rise
The program comes at a time when food insecurity is on the rise in Massachusetts. According to a report from the Greater Boston Food Bank and Mass General Brigham, the percentage of Massachusetts households experiencing very low food security increased from 6% in 2019 to 24% in 2024.
“The need for creative, community-based solutions is clear,” said Local Enterprise Assistance Fund Senior Financial Analyst Fatiha Ainane and Financial Analyst Jordan Browne. “The program not only supports the financial health of independent restaurants, their employees but also ensures families receive nutritious meals. One recipient expressed that this was their first hot meal in days while living in a shelter without a kitchen. This is our mission in action – strengthening small businesses to enhance community well-being.”
Program supports local restaurants and food-service supply chains
The Food Insecurity Grant Program for Independent Restaurants was created by the former Mass Growth Capital Corporation. In February 2025, Mass Growth Capital Corporation merged with MassDevelopment, which now administers the program.
“The benefits of the Food Insecurity Grant Program for Independent Restaurants are two-fold, strengthening our local restaurants and food-service supply chains while at the same time enhancing access to high-quality prepared meals and food products for those facing food insecurity in Massachusetts,” said Economic Development Secretary Eric Paley, who serves as chair of MassDevelopment’s Board of Directors. “Through MassDevelopment, we are pleased to award $900,000 in grants to local restaurants across the state with the infrastructure, staff, capacity, and desire to produce meals and other food products for individuals and families in need.”
Program is a win-win for restaurants and communities
“Massachusetts is fortunate to be home to many local restaurants that create jobs and vibrancy in our communities, and this program is creating a new source of revenue to help them stay competitive while also seeking to address food insecurity statewide,” said MassDevelopment President and CEO Navjeet Bal. “We are grateful to our small business support partners Local Enterprise Assistance Fund and Franklin County Community Development Corporation, whose staff have played an instrumental role in designing and administering this program. Their deep relationships and on-the-ground knowledge have been essential in ensuring that resources reach the communities most in need with care, dignity, and efficiency.”
“By providing financial support to local restaurants, while simultaneously increasing access to healthy meals for people facing food insecurity, this program is truly a win-win,” said Franklin County Community Development Corporation Program Manager Hannah Sobel. “At Franklin County CDC, we’re honored to administer this initiative in central and western Massachusetts as part of our ongoing commitment to supporting entrepreneurs and strengthening our region’s food system.”
Full list of awarded projects
Here is the full list of awarded projects:
Lili’s Restaurant (Amherst) – $7,560Hillside Pizza (Bernardston) – $11,900Fresh Food Generation (Boston) – $45,000Merengue (Boston) – $45,000Italian Kitchen (Brockton) – $45,000Luanda Restaurant & Event Space (Brockton) – $45,000Ponde Juancho (Chelsea) – $45,000Milano’s (Chicopee) – $34,560Simple Man Saloon (Clinton) – $34,500Two Sisters Catering (Dartmouth) – $45,000Lenzi’s Catering (Dracut) – $45,000Chair City Diner (Gardner) – $33,750Mesa Verde (Greenfield) – $21,980Pulse Café (Hadley) – $8,400Wildwood BBQ (Hadley) – $7,000Boathouse Bistro (Hingham) – $45,000Hamel’s (Holyoke) – $33,653Salvatore’s River Walk (Lawrence) – $45,000Polish American Citizens Club (Ludlow) – $25,600Vanished Valley Brewing Co. (Ludlow) – $9,000Bigg Daddy’s (North Adams) – $34,200Uya Poke Bowl (Northampton) – $15,108La Veracruzana (Northampton) – $19,500BB’s Hot Spot (Pittsfield) – $11,420Marie’s North Street Eatery (Pittsfield) – $13,000Mazzeos (Pittsfield) – $10,000Rincon Limeno (Revere) $45,000Tuckers (Southwick) – $34,530Elegant Affairs (Springfield) – $21,960Firebox (Weston) – $27,829Tembo Grill (Worcester) – $34,550
MassDevelopment, the state’s development finance agency and land bank, delivers financing solutions, real estate expertise, and other assistance to strengthen and grow the Massachusetts economy. We partner with businesses, nonprofits, developers, banks, and municipalities, providing resources to help create jobs, build housing, and foster vibrant communities across the state.
During FY2025, MassDevelopment financed or managed 409 projects generating investment of more than $4.65 billion in the Massachusetts economy. These projects are estimated to create or support 25,246 jobs and build or preserve 2,867 housing units.
This story was created by reporter Beth McDermott, bmcdermott1@gannett.com, with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct.
This article originally appeared on The Enterprise: Two Brockton restaurants receive $45K grants to combat food insecurity