PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Pittsfield restaurants  Marie's North Street Eatery, BB's Hot Spot and Mazzeos were awarded grants along side North Adams restaurant Bigg Daddy's.

 

MassDevelopment announced $900,000 in grants from the Food Insecurity Grant Program for Independent Restaurants, a program in which independent restaurants in Massachusetts receive funding to prepare and supply meals and other food products for nonprofit meal distributors with the goal of helping address food insecurity in the state. 

A total of 31 restaurants received grants over the course of this year ranging from $7,000 to $45,000 to prepare and supply food to be delivered at no cost to food banks and pantries, senior centers, schools, and emergency food distribution centers supporting individuals and families in the Commonwealth. MassDevelopment contracted with Local Enterprise Assistance Fund and Franklin County Community Development Corporation to administer the grants and work with the restaurants to collect, deliver, and distribute the food.

 

"The benefits of the Food Insecurity Grant Program for Independent Restaurants are two-fold, strengthening our local restaurants and food-service supply chains while at the same time enhancing access to high-quality prepared meals and food products for those facing food insecurity in Massachusetts," said Economic Development Secretary Eric Paley, who serves as chair of MassDevelopment’s Board of Directors. "Through MassDevelopment, we are pleased to award $900,000 in grants to local restaurants across the state with the infrastructure, staff, capacity, and desire to produce meals and other food products for individuals and families in need."

 

The Food Insecurity Grant Program for Independent Restaurants was created by the former Mass Growth Capital Corporation. In February 2025, Mass Growth Capital Corporation merged with MassDevelopment, which now administers the program.