Healthy Meals at WLP
Food is a basic necessity of life, and sharing a meal with others is one of the most effective bridges to relationship building.
VISIT WLP FOR A MEAL | SPONSOR A MEAL
We believe all people should have access to healthy food. WLP provides three nutrition-packed meals six days a week to over 2,000 women annually.
Our Healthy Meals program prepared and served 113,430 meals in FY23, a record number for our organization. We are immensely proud of this accomplishment, especially considering our survey results, which show that 75% of our guests are food insecure, 61% rely on WLP for most of their meals, and 89% like the quantity and quality of food served at lunch.
Women’s Lunch Place is proud to be an Environmental Partner of 1% for the Planet. Learn more about our sustainability work here.
Hunger and food insecurity continue to increase at an alarming rate within our community. WLP’s Healthy Meals program has evolved to directly respond to this need––we serve breakfast, lunch, and healthy snacks, providing much-needed hunger relief and health benefits.
You can sponsor a breakfast or lunch at WLP to honor or remember a loved one at any time of year. Your sponsorship can be dedicated as a thoughtful gift for birthdays, memorials, or just to thank a friend and provide nutritious, healthy meals for up to 250 women a day.
Women’s Lunch Place believes that access to healthy nutrition is a human right, and our Healthy Meals program reflects this core value. Food insecurity in our population continues to grow, and most guests rely on WLP as their primary source of hunger relief. We provide three meals per day. Breakfast and lunch are served restaurant-style, brought to guests seated at tables. We provide a third meal through our Takeaway Dinner program.
When a guest is hungry, it is nearly impossible for her to take a clear look at the obstacles in front of her. Even simple tasks can be difficult to accomplish, and complicated issues can seem impossible. Our nutritious meals are consistent, satisfying, delicious, and culturally diverse. Vegetarian alternatives, fresh fruits and vegetables, healthy grains, and lean proteins are incorporated into each day’s menu. WLP is a “scratch” kitchen, preparing every meal with fresh ingredients, including herbs from our garden.
We purchase fresh fish, produce, and dairy from local providers to reduce our reliance on national food conglomerates. Donations from local farms, gardens, and food recovery groups supplement these purchases. Our guests enjoy tending our on-site herb garden and our new vegetable garden at the Dudley Greenhouse. Excess produce is often used in vegetable soups that are nutritious and practical for elderly guests or those with poor dental health.
WLP delivers over 300 healthy meals each week to partners across the city, including St. Mary's Center for Women and Children, Victory Programs, and the YMCA’s SRO (Single Room Occupancy) housing. Any leftover meals and food items are distributed to a nearby food pantry.
We also work with our community to increase overall food security and find permanent solutions by reviewing eligibility for SNAP benefits, About Fresh, Project Bread, and other vital resources. Individual counseling and cooking classes teach guests how to maximize their benefits and prepare nutritious meals at home.
In celebration of the diversity of our guests, we have introduced a “Cultural Café” which incorporates signature recipes from the countries and cultures of our community. Guests can submit ideas for our creative kitchen staff to consider, and our team enjoys cooking some of their most beloved dishes.
Herb Garden
Ellen Abdow, owner and proprietor of Perennial Gardens and long-time volunteer at WLP, built the herb garden on the grounds on Newbury Street. Each spring we plant herbs in the raised beds that are harvested throughout the summer and fall to add fresh flavor and nutrients to the meals. Volunteers and guests help to keep the garden pruned and see firsthand the benefits of “from farm to table”!
