Food Access
Many of our community members struggle to meet their basic needs. The cost of living on the Vineyard is approximately 60% higher than the national average. Food costs are the 5th highest of any county in America, and we have a dire affordable housing shortage.
This means that 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.
