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HD 4153

An Act establishing community fridges to address food insecurity

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Homar Gomez

Massachusetts bill establishes state-supported community refrigerators in neighborhoods to provide free emergency food access and reduce food insecurity.

Senate concurred
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HD 4153

Legislative bill overview

HD 4153 establishes a framework for community refrigerators—public cooling units placed in neighborhoods to provide free access to food—as a tool to combat food insecurity in Massachusetts. The bill likely includes provisions for funding, installation, maintenance, and oversight of these community-based food distribution points.

Why is this important

Food insecurity affects thousands of Massachusetts residents, and community fridges offer a low-barrier, dignity-preserving alternative to traditional food assistance that doesn't require applications or appointments. The formalization through legislation could legitimize these grassroots efforts, provide stable funding, and enable broader expansion across underserved communities.

Potential points of contention

  • Funding mechanism and costs: Unclear whether the state will fully fund operations, maintenance, and food restocking, or if communities must contribute resources, potentially burdening lower-income neighborhoods most in need
  • Food safety and liability: Questions about who ensures food safety standards, handles spoilage, and bears legal responsibility if contaminated food causes illness
  • Sustainability and oversight: Determining whether there's adequate infrastructure to monitor fridge conditions, prevent misuse, and ensure equitable distribution across the state versus concentration in politically favored areas

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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