Good Shepherd Parish

Island Grown Initiative is the umbrella agency for the food programs offered on MV.

Founded in 2006, from their website https://www.igimv.org/about-us “IGI strengthens Martha’s Vineyard’s local food system at every step: growing, sourcing and preparing food, ensuring it is distributed equitably, and reducing waste.  In each part of this system we act, teach, and mobilize others to act, and share our model beyond our shores to grow our impact.”

“… many islanders–elders, families with children, working people–struggle to feed themselves and their families.  At IGI, we are committed to ensuring that nutritious food is within reach for every islander.  Our food access programs support 1 in 5 members of our year-round community.  We also coordinate the many players on the Vineyard who work to provide food to islanders who need support, including Councils on Aging, health care providers, faith-based groups, and more.  Together, we identify gaps in the island’s food support network, develop coordinated programming, and increase efficiencies across the system.” https://www.igimv.org/food-access

 Island Food Pantry

114 Dukes County Ave
Oak Bluffs, MA 02557

https://www.igimv.org/pantry

https://vineyardgazette.com/news/2023/05/16/island-grown-finds-food-pantry-new-home

How and when to shop:

Seniors Only (ages 60+):

In-person shopping is available Fridays from 12:00–1:45 PM

All Other Clients:

If you’re registered with the Island Food Pantry, please shop online using the Smart Choice App.

To self-register, visit: smartchoice.life/igi during the following windows:

• Sunday 6 PM – Monday 8 AM

• Tuesday 6 PM – Wednesday 8 AM

• Friday 6 PM – Saturday at midnight

Pick Up Times:

Choose from the following pick-up windows when placing your order:

• Monday: 2:00–3:45 PM (closes at 4 PM)

• Wednesday: 1:00–5:45 PM (closes at 6 PM)

• Saturday: 10:00–11:45 AM (closes at 12 PM)

Please note: Parking is limited. It’s important that you arrive only during your selected pick-up time.

Serving Hands/Family to Family Food Distribution

Island Grown Initiative is honored to carry forward the legacy of Serving Hands and Family to Family, two vital food distribution programs that have supported Island families for decades. In 2024, IGI welcomed these programs under its umbrella after years of dedicated leadership by the Vineyard Committee on Hunger.

Serving Hands: Monthly Grocery Distribution

Serving Hands operates out of the First Baptist Church, providing nutritious groceries to approximately 130 clients each month. The program receives about 5,000 pounds of food from the Greater Boston Food Bank, ensuring that individuals and families have consistent access to essential pantry staples and fresh ingredients.

Family to Family: Holiday Meal Kits

Family to Family brings the Island community together during the holiday season by providing all the ingredients for a complete holiday meal. Meal kits are distributed three times a year—in late November, late December, and April—and include turkey, ham, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and fresh produce. Ingredients are sourced from local farms and grocers to ensure Island families can enjoy a nourishing holiday meal.

ONE location for pick-up:
First Baptist Church Parish Hall
66 William Street, Vineyard Haven

**Check-in for distribution will be at St. Augustine’s Church parking lot, Clough Lane off Franklin Street.

The hours are from 11:30 am – 1:00 pm; no pre-registering–first come, first served, bring your own reusable bags.

See the website https://www.igimv.org/pantry (scroll down) for more information.

Prepared Meals through IGI

Every year, our staff and volunteers make 75,000 nutritious prepared meals for our community from our commercial kitchen at the Airport Business Park.  For people who lack kitchen facilities, have limited physical mobility, or are facing health challenges, having access to nutritious prepared meals can make a meaningful difference in their lives and their health.

Our meals are distributed through the Island Food Pantry and partner agencies in the Island Food Equity Network, including health care providers, Councils on Aging, Hospice, mental health support programs, and more.  

In addition to our frozen prepared meals, we also make lunches during school vacations to help bridge the nutrition gap for students and families when kids lose access to school meals.

Our prepared meals program is made possible in part by generous support from the Slough Farm Foundation. If you or someone you know would benefit from access to prepared meals, please email us at meals@igimv.org.

Community Lunch

On the Vineyard, every student receives free breakfasts and lunches at school thanks to the Massachusetts Universal Free School Meals program.  When school is out of session, kids lose access to this food, putting additional strain on families struggling to make ends meet and jeopardizing family food security.

IGI is proud to have stepped in to bridge this nutrition gap during school vacations since 2017.  We now make approximately 15,000 meals and meal kits for families out of our commercial kitchen at the Airport Business Park each year, during February and April school vacation weeks and during summer break.  We provide lunches directly to families and to summer programs including the English Language Learner summer program, the ESY summer program, the Family Center, and the Y.

We utilize locally and regionally sourced ingredients in our meals whenever possible, and offer a range of items to meet the needs of all island kids, including vegetarian, gluten-free, and alpha gal-friendly offerings. Before each school vacation week we post a sign-up form on our website, where families can preorder the meals and meal components that will work for their children.

How can I contact you?  You can reach us by email at meals@igimv.org