Food insecurity: ‘Food need is 365 days a year’

If you missed The Chat with Jack Spillane and local leaders of food distribution programs, you can watch it here.

by The New Bedford Light January 15, 2026January 15, 2026

Jack Spillane is joined by local leaders of area food distribution programs on The Chat. Credit: The New Bedford Light

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Food insecurity didn’t magically end with the restoration of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits. It’s still a critical issue here on the South Coast and nationwide.

And the fear is it’s going to get worse. The Trump administration’s megabill looks to cut benefits to more than 3 million Americans over the next few years.

Local leaders of area food distribution programs joined columnist and Chat host Jack Spillane Thursday to discuss the issue.

How bad will it get? What can be done to help?

Find out what’s happening on the South Coast from Michelle Hantman and Victoria Grasela of the United Way Greater New Bedford’s Hunger Commission, Charlie Murphy of M.O.L.I.F.E. and Liz Wiley of the Marion Institute.

Missed previous chats? We’ve collected all of them, from discussions with scallopers on the future of the industry to the history of Cape Verdeans in New Bedford. Find them here on The Light’s Chat page.