MA H118

Establishes a special commission to study the sustainability of food pantries in the Massachusetts Emergency Food Network Assistance Program (MEFAP), examining state support adequacy, workforce development, organizational governance, succession planning, and capacity to meet resident needs

Commission must make recommendations on workforce training and apprenticeships, technical assistance for organizational sustainability, assessment of emergency food demand, impacts on state funding and private fundraising, and frequency of food pantry use

14-member commission includes 3 food pantry representatives (urban, suburban, rural), 3 food bank representatives, 2 food pantry participants, commissioners from agricultural resources and transitional assistance, and legislators from both chambers

Commissioners must be appointed within 30 days of enactment, first meeting held within 45 days, and final report submitted within 18 months to legislative clerks and relevant joint committees

Commission dissolves 30 days after report submission unless extended by two-thirds vote; all meetings must be open to the public with notes made available