An Experimental Food Program Struggles To Help Boston's Hardest Hit Community

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to illuminate the glaring inequalities that already existed in Massachusetts. Rising unemployment has made things worse for families already stretched thin. Especially in Chelsea, one of the state’s poorest cities, where the COVID-19 rate of spread is the highest in the state.

Since the pandemic began, families have especially struggled to have enough food. But, for some Chelsea residents – participants in an experimental program – the last couple months have been easier. Could it be a long-term solution for food insecurity?

Guests:

Gladys Vega, Executive Director of La Colaborativa food pantry and community center, in Chelsea.

Laura Gee, Associate Professor of Economics at Tufts University.

Later in the show:

They are in the parks, or going door-to-door – at a safe distance – distributing information about counteracting the spread of COVID-19. They are members of the Cambridge Community Corps – part of a new pilot program based on Clinton’s AmeriCorps.

Guests:

Claude Jacob, Chief Public Health Officer for the city of Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Antonio Horatius, Cambridge Corps member.

Credits:

Under the Radar with Callie Crossley is a production of GBH, produced by Wes Martin and engineered by Dave Goodman. Angela Yang is our intern. Our theme music is FISH AND CHIPS by #weare2saxys’, Grace Kelly and Leo P.