Cambridge approves $1.5M in support to aid food bank transition
Posted Feb 20, 2026 10:10:34 AM.
Last Updated Feb 25, 2026 11:55:19 AM.
A motion has been approved by Cambridge city councillors to support the Cambridge Food Bank (CFB) and its transition to a new site, with a financial contribution of $1.5 million.
It all stemmed from a report drawn up by city staff, which goes into detail about the current restrictions holding the local food bank back, particularly around its current site at 54 Ainslie St.
It stated that the demand being seen in the city when it comes to food security is outpacing and outgrowing what the food bank can keep up with at the current site.
“Although the city has been proud to support the CFB operations in the city-owned building at Ainslie Street, staff understand the constraints of the building and location are no longer conducive to CFB growth,” said city staff in its report.
It led the CFD to acquire a new property at 341 Franklin Blvd. earlier in the year, set to allow it to better expand to meet the needs of Cambridge in the years ahead.
Those improvements include a site that’s nearly double the current size, closer access to public transit, better waste and recycling processing, a larger kitchen, a greenhouse and more.
“A space featuring a commercial kitchen that will serve the most vulnerable in the community, a space for children and families to learn about nutrition and eating healthy on a budget,” said the CFB about its vision for the new site. “A warehouse full of food ready to nourish those in need, and a greenhouse growing fresh fruits and vegetables to share throughout the community.”
The motion asked council to send $1.5 million over to the CFB to aid in those transition efforts, but it’s also a push that frees up the city for future opportunities.
The current site is owned by the City of Cambridge, which has leased out the site to the CFB since 2001.
“With the CFB move to its new location, the city will no longer be providing support through the use of a building, as the lease will be terminated,” the report stated. “Once the CFB has moved out, use of that building will revert exclusively to the city.”
It said the funding would be pulled from the city’s Core Area Transformation Fund, which was “established to support a program and funding mechanism to stimulate transformative investment in city-building in the City’s three core areas. “
As of the start of 2026, the balance for that fund sat at over $13 million.
“With the Ainslie Street property reverting back to the city’s exclusive use, staff will begin working on plans for further activation of this property and the area and return to council when appropriate.”
The motion was approved on Tuesday, Feb. 24.
