Full Plate Project

Overview

The Full Plate Project (FPP) embodies the Y’s mission of strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. More than just survive, healthy food allows everyone to thrive.

Through YMCA Southcoast’s partnership with the Greater Boston Food Bank, the Full Plate Project started as an emergency response to pandemic-related nutrition insecurity in April 2020. It quickly grew into one of the largest hunger relief agencies in the Southcoast region.

In 2024, the FPP distributed 1,345,114 lbs. of food equating to nearly 1,120,928 nutritious meals. The program served 34,710 households comprising 95,234 individuals. On a monthly basis, this is an average of 2,892 households and 7,936 individual contacts.

Since inception, the FPP has provided over 5,500,000 lbs. of food across the Southcoast.

Y community markets are open to all Southcoast residents in need of nutrition assistance. Participants will be asked to provide basic information including ZIP code and the number of people living in their household. No photo ID is required.

Each household receives prepackaged fresh, frozen, and pantry food items based on availability. Markets typically last an hour and a half, or less when food runs out, which happens often. There are no town residency, eligibility, or Y membership requirements.

All in need are welcome to take advantage of this free program on a first come, first served basis.