Life Science Cares and Biogen Foundation Help Launch Food For Free’s Just Eats Program - Seite 2

The Biogen Foundation began its collaboration with Food For Free in 2019, when Biogen provided space in its headquarters for the nonprofit's first permanent kitchen. In the past year, the Biogen Foundation donated nearly $3 million globally to nonprofit leaders who help people with food insecurity.

“Biogen, the Biogen Foundation and our employees have long been deeply committed to food security – particularly for the most vulnerable populations, like students. We are excited to build on our longstanding relationship with Food For Free and Life Science Cares to not only nourish 3,000 additional local families, but also to serve as a catalyst and inspire others in our industry to address this pressing need,” said Kate Dawson, MD, Head of Therapeutics Development Unit and Chair of the Biogen Foundation. “It made sense for us to step up and help fill this critical gap, since promoting human health is core to who we are and what we do as a company. Addressing food insecurity – and the improved well-being of people and enhanced ability of students to learn that can come with it – is one of the many ways we advance our purpose and help our communities thrive.”

The Just Eats Grocery Boxes will include fresh food items like potatoes, onions, carrots, apples, and oranges as well as staples like rice and dried beans. Food will be sourced both by purchasing and through non-profit partners such as the Greater Boston Food Bank and Boston Area Gleaners.

“We are extremely proud to be long-term supporters of Food For Free and its important mission to ensure that those in need in the Cambridge community have access to fresh, nutritious food,” said Hunter Kass, Executive Vice President and Greater Boston Regional Market Director of Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. “The new Just Eats program aligns with our commitment to advance human health, improve nutrition, and enhance the quality of people’s lives in our local communities.”

With these latest grants, Life Science Cares, the Biogen Foundation, and Alexandria reinforce their shared goals of creating an infrastructure so all kids have access to healthy food in Cambridge, Somerville, and beyond. Food For Free plans to use the funds to produce 1,000 boxes per week in their new East Cambridge food packing center and contracting another 2,000 through their partners the Boston Area Gleaners.