>> BRAUDE: TONIGHT ON "GREATER BOSTON," AS MOST OF THE NATION MOURNS THE OVERTURNING OF ROE V WADE, MANY ABORTION OPPONENTS, INCLUDING AMY CONEY BARRETT, SAY THEY HAVE A SOLUTION: ADOPTION.

AHEAD, TWO LEADING VOICES JOIN ME ON WHY SHE'S WRONG.

PLUS, AS INFLATION DOUBLES DOWN ON FOOD INSECURITY ALREADY EXACERBATED BY THE PANDEMIC, I'M JOINED BY TWO PEOPLE WHO ARE PART OF BRINGING MILLIONS OF HEALTHY MEALS TO KIDS AND ARE DOING EVEN MORE THIS SUMMER.

SO-CALLED "BAY STATE" WOULD BE A BEACH-LOVER'S PARADISE FOR ALL, BUT AS WE FOUND OUT, ACCESS TO THE SHORE IS VERY MUCH NOT EQUAL.

♪♪ >> BRAUDE: WHILE WE PRETTY MUCH KNEW THE FUTURE OF ABORTION RIGHTS SINCE THE DECISION FIRST LEAKED ALMOST TWO MONTHS AGO, THE WRITING WAS ON THE WALL EVEN EARLIER, WHEN SUPREME COURT JUSTICE AMY CONEY BARRETT ASKED THIS QUESTION DURING ORAL ARGUMENTS IN DECEMBER: >> BOTH ROE AND CASEY EMPHASIZE INSOFAR AS YOU AND MANY OF YOUR AMICI FOCUS ON THE WAYS IN WHICH FORCED PARENTING, FORCED MOTHERHOOD, WOULD HINDER WOMEN'S ACCESS TO THE WORKPLACE AND TO EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES, IT'S ALSO FOCUSED ON THE CONSEQUENCES OF PARENTING AND THE OBLIGATIONS OF MOTHERHOOD THAT FLOW FROM PREGNANCY.

WHY DON'T THE SAFE HAVEN LAWS TAKE CARE OF THAT PROBLEM?

>> BRAUDE: WHY INDEED?

UST DROP THE NEWBORN OFF AT YOUR NEAREST FIRE STATION AND SOMEONE WILL ADOPT THEM, SAY ANTI-ABORTION ACTIVISTS, LIKE THESE PEOPLE, WHOSE PHOTO ON TWITTER WENT VIRAL, WITH THEIR SIGN: "WE WILL ADOPT YOUR BABY."

UNSURPRINSGLY, A WAVE OF OF MEMES MOCKING THEM QUICKLY FOLLOWED, LIKE THIS ONE FEATURING THE MCCLOSKEY COUPLE OF BLACK LIVES MATTER PROTEST RESPONSE, FAME.

AND THIS ONE, OF JEFFREY EPSTEIN AND GHISLAINE MAXWELL, AIMED AT POINTING OUT THE ABUSURDITY OF THE DECLARATION.

I'M JOINED BY ADAM PERTMAN, PRESIDENT, C.E.O.

AND FOUNDER OF THE NATIONAL CENTER ON ADOPTION AND PERMANENCY; AND AIMEE SEIFF CHRISTIAN, WHO'S WRITTEN ABOUT HER OWN EXPERIENCE WITH ADOPTION, AND TEACHES A WRITING WORKSHOP FOR FELLOW ADOPTEES.

>> Braude: AND I SHOULD SAY BOTH OF MY DAUGHTERS ARE ADOPTED AS WELL.

AIMEE AND ADAM, GOOD TO HAVE YOU.

THANKSFOR BEING HERE.

ADAM, STARTING WITH YOU, IT IS A PIECE OF CAKE ACCORDING TO AMY CONEY BARRETT, YOU BRING WOMEN -- >> WOMEN ARE JUST BABY CARRIERS.

IT IS OUTRAGEOUS.

SAFE HAVENS ARE CONTROVERSIAL IN AND OF THEMSELVES.

SO IF LEGAL PLACES WHERE YOU CAN ABANDON YOUR CHILD.

BUT WHATEVER ONE THINKS OF THEM -- AND I'M NOT A FAN -- THE NOTION OF SOMEONE FROM ON HIGH, THE SUPREME COURT, SUGGESTING THAT WOMEN ABANDON THEIR BABIES, JUST STEP BACK AND THINK ABOUT IT.

IT IS REVOLTING AND AWESOME.

AND I THINK, IF I MAY, ON THIS QUICK THING I MADE A NOTE TO MYSELF, SHE AND ALITO TALKED ABOUT INCREASING THE SUPPLY OF BABIES, WHICH MAKES IT CRYSTAL CLEAR WHAT THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT.

IT IS A MARKETPLACE IN WHICH THE PEOPLE HAVE MONEY AND THEY'LL GET WHAT THEY WANT, AND EVERYBODY ELSE CAN SUFFER FROM TRAUMA.

>> Braude: SO, AIMEE, LET'S GO FROM THE HIGH LEVEL, AS ADAM MENTIONED, THE SUPERIOR COURT, TO THE GROUND LEVEL.

YOU'RE AN ADOPTEE YOURSELF, AND WHAT DID YOU THINK OF CONE AMY CONEY BARRETT'S ASSERTION?

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

FIRST.

AND WE ALL THINK IT IS VERY CLEAR THAT THEY'VE TURNED US INTO A COMMODITY.

WE'RE NOT ACTUALLY CONSIDERED HUMANS.

WE'RE NOT EVEN CONSIDERED BABIES, BUT A COMMODITY.

IT IS VERY CLEAR THAT THIS IS NOT ABOUT -- IT IS NOT ABOUT BABIES.

IT'S ABOUT INCREASING THE SUPPLY AND DEMAND OF A THING.

IT'S A BUSINESS.

>> Braude: I'M NOT EVEN SURE IT IS ABOUT INCREASING THE SUPPLY.

IT IS PRETTY MUCH TO TRY TO JUSTIFY AN END, AND THEY'LL DO ANYTHING THEY CAN TO GET TO THE END GAME.

AIMEE, STAYING WITH YOU, WHAT APPEARS TO ME THAT SHE IS MISSING IS THE QUESTION OF CHOICE, AND WHAT COMES WITH THE ABSENCE OF CHOICE.

WHAT DOES COME WITH THE ABSENCE OF CHOICE, AIMEE?

>> TRAGEDY AND TRAUMA.

YOU MENTIONED THE WORD TRAUMA, AND THAT'S WHAT HAS COME TO ME.

MANY PEOPLE WHEN I WAS GROWING UP ASKED ME A RHETORICAL QUESTION: AREN'T YOU GLAD YOU WEREN'T ABORTED.

IT WAS A RIDICULOUS QUESTION AND A RIDICULOUS ANSWER.

THERE IS NO OTHER ANSWER.

HOW COULD I SAY ANYTHING BUT YES, OF COURSE.

THE TRUTH IS, I HAD WISHED, AND I STILL WISHED, THAT MY MOTHER HAD BEEN GIVEN THE ABILITY TO MAKE THE DECISION FOR HERSELF.

NO ONE MADE THAT DECISION FOR HER BUT HER OWN MOTHER.

HER MOTHER MADE THE DECISION FOR HER.

MY HOTTER HADMY MOTHER HAD ALSO BEEN ADOPTED, AND THE DECISION WAS MADE, WELL, YOU WERE ADOPTED, SO THIS IS WHAT WER DOING.

SHE NEVER A CHOICE.

AND NOW MY DAUGHTERS WILL NOT HAVE A CHOICE.

>> Braude: DID YOU RECONNECT WITH YOUR BIRTH MOTHER?

>> I DID.

AND SHE SAID, I'M SO SORRY.

NOW THAT YOU HAVE BABIES OF YOUR OWN, DO YOU UNDERSTAND HOW DIFFICULT WAS FOR ME TO GIVE YOU AWAY.

I NEVER WANTED TO.

>> Braude: THERE IS A FORMER CONGRESSMAN, AND I WON'T MENTION HIS NAME BECAUSE I'M NOT SURE I AM RIGHT, BUT THOSE BELIEVE THAT BIRTH BEGINS AT CONCEPTION -- I MEAN LIFE BEGINS AT CONCEPTION AND ENDS AT DEATH.

WHAT IS THE RESOURCE NOW, WITHOUT THIS EXTRA BURDEN, AS THE SUPPLY INCREASES.

WHAT IS THE RESOURCE SITUATION FOR ADOPTIONS, FOR FOSTER CARE IN THIS COUNTRY?

I MEAN, WHAT IS AVAILABLE?

DO WE HAVE ENOUGH PEOPLE, ENOUGH MONEY TO FACILITATE ADOPTIONS, PUTTING KIDS IN FOSTER CARE, TAKING THEM OUT OF FOSTER CARE, AS TO WHAT WE CURRENTLY HAVE?

>> LET ME MAKE A COUPLE OF POINTS.

I WANT TO FOLLOW UP ON AIMEE FOR A SECOND AND SAY ONE OF THE TRAVESTIES OF THIS, IT IS NOT JUST ABOUT A CHOICE AT THE MOMENT, AND I WANT SOMETHING TO HAPPEN OF MY DECISION-MAKING.

THAT'S NOT IT.

WHEN WOMEN PLACE KIDS FOR ADOPTION, I ASKED YOUR WHOLE AUDIENCE, ANYONE WHO HAS GIVEN BIRTH, YOU COULD JUST PART WITH THAT BABY AND FORGET ABOUT IT, RIGHT?

AND MOVE ON WITH YOUR LIFE?

YOU WOULD GRIEVE THE REST OF YOUR LIFE.

WHAT AMY CONEY BARRETT'S CONSTRUCT DOES IS RELEGATE A GENERATION OF WOMEN TO SEEING A SHRINK FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIFE.

IT IS TRAUMATIC, IT IS LIFE-LONG, AND IT IS HEARTLESS TO TREAT WOMEN AS THOUGH THEY CAN DO THAT BECAUSE THEY CANNOT.

AND THE RESEARCH IS CLEAR ABOUT THAT.

AND THE EXPERIENCE IS CLEAR ABOUT THAT.

THERE ARE NO QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS.

AND THE COMMENTS WERE IGNORANT WITH A SMALL UNINFORMED SKEW, BUT IGNORANT NONETHELESS.

SO TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION, THERE ARE TENS OF THOUSANDS OF CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE WHO IF PEOPLE WANT TO ADOPT, THEY CAN ADOPT THEM.

THEY'RE NOT BABIES.

AND THAT'S WHY THESE ARE SEPARATE POPULATIONS, OKAY.

THE BABIES THAT ARE AVAILABLE TYPICALLY ALMOST OVERWHELMING ARE AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION BY PEOPLE OF MEANS BECAUSE THEY NEED 30 TO $60,000.

SO IT IS NOT FOR EVERYBODY.

THE FOSTER CARE POPULATION, THERE ARE NO CHARGES AND THESE PEOPLE ARE NOT GOING TO GO INTO FOSTER CARE.

THESE BABIES ARE GOING TO GO INTO AN INDUSTRY, IF YOU WILL, WHERE PROFITS OR PERMITTED.

>> Braude: SO THIS MAY BE UNFAIR, AIMEE, TO ASK YOU TO GO INTO THE MIND-READING BUSINESS, BUT AMY CONEY BARRETT IS NOT A DOPE.

I MEAN, SHE IS AN INCREDIBLY SMART WOMAN, FROM MY LIMITED OBSERVATION DURING HER CONFIRMATION HEARING.

IS THIS -- THE TERM "WILLFUL IGNORANCE" HAS BEEN USED A LOT ABOUT DONALD TRUMP'S CONTENTION THAT HE ACTUALLY BELIEVES HE WON THE ELECTION.

IS THIS WILLFUL IGNORANCE?

IS IT CRUELTY?

WHAT DO YOU ATTRIBUTE THIS BLYTHE NOTION YOU HAVE THE KID, YOU GIVE UP THE KID, AND EVERYBODY IS HAPPY.

WHAT DO YOU ATTRIBUTE IT TO?

>> I THINK SHE IS AN ADOPTIVE PARENT, SHE IS A CONSERVATIVE CHRISTIAN, AND I THINK THERE IS SOME COGNITIVE DISTANCE IN THERE.

AND I ALSO THINK -- I THINK THAT THIS HAS TO DO WITH CREATING, UM, WE'VE TALKED ABOUT SUPPLY.

I HONESTLY THINK THAT THERE IS A DECISION HERE TO CREATE MORE WHITE BABIES IN THE UNITED STATES.

>> Braude: WELL, EVEN THOUGH THE BOTTOM LINE IS A DISPROPORTIONATE NUMBER OF PENAL PEOPLE WHO ARE GOING TO BE FORCED TO GIVE BIRTH TO A CHILD THEY BELIEVE THEY CAN'T TAKE CARE OF OR DON'T WANT ARE PROBABLY PEOPLE OF COLOR, TOO.

ADAM, WHAT HAPPENS -- ALL THREE OF US ARE ON THE SAME PAGE, IT DOESN'T MATTER WHERE WE ARE, AND THE SUPREME COURT HAS MADE A DETERMINATION, AND MORE THAN HALF OF THE STATES HAVE MADE A DETERMINATION.

WHAT HAPPENS TO THESE KIDS WHEN THE NUMBERS DO GO UP EXPONENTIALLY?

WHAT HAPPENS TO THOSE KIDS?

>> I'M NOT SURE IT WILL BE EXPOADEXPONENTIAL BECAUSE WE STILL DON'T KNOW WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN WITH THE ABORTION PILLS -- >> Braude: LET ME INTERRUPT YOU.

THERE IS NO QUESTION, ABORTION PILLS OR NOT, THE NUMBERS ARE GOING TO GO UP.

WHAT HAPPENS TO THOSE KIDS?

>> MORE BABIES WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION, AND MORE BIRTH MOTHERS WILL BE GRIEVING FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIVES BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T HAVE ANY CHOICE.

ANYWAY, MORE BIRTH MOTHERS WILL BE GRIEVING.

IN THE LONGER TERM, BECAUSE OF THE NATURE OF THE CHILDREN WHO ARE GOING TO BE BORN, THERE IS GOING TO BE AN INCREASED LONGER TERM BECAUSE THIS WILL TAKE TIME -- THERE WILL BE AN INCREASE IN KIDS IN FOSTER CARE WHO ARE DISPLACED FROM THEIR FAMILIES BECAUSE OF REASON OF ABUSE OR NEGLECT.

BECAUSE IF THESE WOMEN HAD RESOURCES, THEY WOULDN'T GIVE UP THEIR KIDS.

THEY WOULD GET A BABY-SITTER AND DAYCARE.

BUT INSTEAD, THEY'LL BE GRIEVING FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIVES, OR RAISE THEIR KIDS WITHOUT THE RESOURCES NEEDED TO DO IT, AND LIFE IS GOING TO BE REALLY TOUGH.

AND MORE KIDS -- WE'RE GOING TO FUEL FOSTER CARE.

>> Braude: AIMEE, BEFORE WE GO, I DON'T WANT TO LEAVE PEOPLE WITH A MISCONCEPTION, AT LEAST SPEAKING FOR MYSELF, THAT ADOPTION, IF IT IS BY CHOICE, IS ANYTHING BUT A WONDERFUL THING.

I HAVE FIRSTHAND KNOWLEDGE.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT A SITUATION WHERE THERE IS NO CHOICE, WHERE THERE IS BELIEVED TO BE A SUBSTITUTE OR REPLACEMENT FOR ABORTION.

IS THAT NOT WHERE WE ARE, AIMEE?

>> UM...I DON'T -- I CAN'T SAY ANYMORE THAT I AM PRO-ADOPTION.

BUT I HAVE SEEN ADOPTION GO WELL.

I DO AGREE WITH ADAM THAT THE BIRTH MOTHER GRIEVES.

I JUST SEE THAT THE BIRTH MOTHER GRIEVES, AND I THINK THAT IS THE PREVERBAL TRAUMA THAT THE ADOPTEE EXPERIENCES IS ALSO LIFELONG.

>> Braude: YOU HAVE THE LAST 15 SECONDS, ADAM.

YOU WANT TO ADD TO THAT.

>> I'M AN ADOPTIVE DAD, FULL DISCLOSURE, AND THIS IS A COMPLICATED ISSUE.

IT IS ALWAYS HARD, ALWAYS COMPLICATED, EVEN IN THE BEST OF CIRCUMSTANCES.

AND IN THE BEST OF CIRCUMSTANCES, ADOPTED PEOPLE HAVE ISSUES.

THAT'S FINE, WE ALL HAVE ISSUES.

AND BIRTH PARENTS HAVE PROFOUND ISSUES.

AND THAT'S IN THE BEST OF CIRCUMSTANCES.

THAT'S NOT WHAT WE ARE SETTING UP HERE.

>> Braude: AIMEE AND ADAM, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR THOUGHTS.

I APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS, THE "LOCAL LUNCHBOX" PROGRAM HAS BEEN PROVIDING MEALS FOR KIDS ACROSS MASSACHUSETTS.

IT STARTED IN CHELSEA IN JUNE OF 2020 TO ADDRESS A FOOD GAP EXACERBATED BY THE EARLY DAYS OF THE PANDEMIC.

BUT IT'S SINCE EXPANDED BIG TIME, HAVING SERVED MORE THAN FIVE MILLION MEALS SO FAR, AND GEARING UP TO OFFER A LOT MORE THIS SUMMER.

AND I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT THE COLD PIZZA AND CHOCOLATE MILK I GOT DURING MY SCHOOL DAYS, AT LEAST I THINK IT WAS PIZZA.

LOCAL LUNCHBOX HAS TEAMED UP WITH NONPROFITS AND LOCAL RESTAURANTS, LIKE DORCHESTER'S FRESH FOOD GENERATION AND MEXICAN FOOD CHAIN BOLOCO, TO PROVIDE CULTURALLY RELEVANT MEALS TO THE KIDS THEY'RE GOING TO.

THEIR SUMMER MEALS PROGRAM JUST LAUNCHED THIS WEEK.

AND I'M JOINED BY CASSANDRIA CAMPBELL, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AT FRESH FOOD GENERATION, AND JILL SHAH, PRESIDENT OF THE SHAH FAMILY FOUNDATION, ONE OF THE NON-PROFITS INVOLVED.

>> Braude: JILL, IT IS GOOD TO SEE YOU.

AND CAS CASSANDRIA, GREAT TO MEET YOU.

THERE IS THE SHAH FOUNDATION, AND THE "Y," AND LOCAL, WONDERFUL REST RESTAURATEURS, LIKE CASSANDRIA.

>> THE MONEY COMES FROM THE U.S. GOVERNMENT, PART OF THE USDA SCHOOL FOOD PROGRAM, THE SUMMER FEEDING PROGRAM.

THE "Y" INTERACTS WITH THE GOVERNMENT, AND PROCESSES ALL OF THE CLAIMS, AND ALL OF THESE AMAZING RESTAURANTS, CASSANDRIA'S AND OTHERS AROUND THE STATE AND SOON AROUND THE COUNTRY, COOK DELICIOUS MEALS LIKE THEY SERVE IN THE RESTAURANTS FOR KIDS, AND THE KIDS TAKE MEALS, THEY GET THEM FOR FREE, AND THE U.S. GOVERNMENT PAYS FOR THEM.

>> Braude: IT IS UNIVERSAL.

IF SHE OR HE IS A KID, LIKE UNDER 18, YOU'RE NOT CHECKING ANYTHING?

350EURBGS RIGHT.

>> Braude: AND, JILL, THE ORGANIZATION SAYS THE FEDERAL MONEY HAS BEEN UNDERUTILIZED.

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

>> THERE ARE ABOUT HALF A MILLION KIDS IN THE STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS THAT WE FEED ALL YEAR LONG IN SCHOOL FOOD.

SUMMER MEALS, THAT NUMBER JUST PLUMMETS BECAUSE KIDS AREN'T IN SCHOOL EVERY DAY, SO THEY'RE HARDER TO REACH.

WE'RE TRYING TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR KIDS TO ACCESS FOOD WITH RESTAURANTS RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER OF THEM.

>> Braude: CAS CASSANDRIA, WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO SIGN UP?

>> I THINK WE REALLY HAD TWO IMPORTANT JOBS.

ONE WAS TO KEEP EVERYONE ON OUR TEAM EMPLOYED.

WE HAVE 20 EMPLOYEES WHO LIVE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND WALK TO WORK.

AND THE SECOND WAS TO MAKE SURE WE COULD FEED PEOPLE REALLY GOOD FOOD.

AND WE SAW THE LINES FOR EMERGENCY FOOD.

WE SAW PEOPLE IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD NOT HAVE ACCESS TO HEALTHY, AFFORDABLE, COOKED FOODS.

AND WE WANTED TO BE A PART OF THAT OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE FREE FOOD.

>> Braude: DO YOU MAKE MONEY OFF THIS PROGRAM?

I'M MAKING IT SOUND LIKE IT IS CRASS TO MAKE MONEY, IN ADDITION TO DOING GOOD THINGS FOR THE KIDS, ARE YOU MAKING MONEY?

>> YES, WE ARE MAKING MONEY.

AND THAT'S A REALLY IMPORTANT QUESTION.

IT IS WHAT ALLOWS US TO PAY OUR EMPLOYEES A LIVING WAGE.

AND SO IT MEANS A LOT TO US AS A SMALL BUSINESS TO BE ABLE TO HAND OUR NEIGHBORS A FREE MEAL AND TO BE ABLE TO GET PAID FOR IT.

I THINK IT IS SUCH A WIN/WIN SOLUTION.

>> Braude: CASSANDRIA, NOW IT IS NERVOUS TIME, I'M GOING TO EAT A MEAL PROVIDED BY YOU THAT I'M TOLD IS EXACTLY WHAT A KID WOULD GET.

IS THAT CORRECT?

THAT IS CORRECT.

>> Braude: I'M ASSUMING THESE ARE COLLARD GREENS?

>> CORRECT.

THEY ARE LOCAL COLLARD GREENS.

>> Braude: AND WHAT IS THIS THING?

THING?

>> >> THAT IS A SUITE PLANTAIN.

IT IS WHAT IS FAMILIAR AND CULTURALLY RELEVANT TO FOLKS IN OUR COMMUNITY.

>> Braude: THERE IS NOTHING LIKE DOING AN INTERVIEW WITH YOUR MOUTHFUL.

IT IS REALLY VERY PROFESSIONAL ON MY PART.

THE FINAL THING I'M NOT GOING TO EAT BECAUSE I'LL REALLY EMBARRASS MYSELF, WHAT IS THIS LARGE PIECE OF WHAT LOOKS LIKE PROTEIN?

350EURBGS YOU'RE>> YOU'RE HAVING THE THE HERBED CAPOLTE CHICKEN.

WE BAKE IT ON TO THE CHICKEN.

THE CHICKEN IS FROM JILL'S FAMILY FARM, SO IT IS ANTIBIOTIC FREE AND IT IS COCONUT RICE.

>> Braude: THE RICE LOOKS GOOD, AND THE SALSA, TOO.

WHAT AM I DRINKING?

>> YOU ARE DRINKING MILK, WHICH IS OFFERED TO ALL KIDS -- >> Braude: I HATE MILK, BUT I'M NOT GOING TO HOLD IT AGAINST YOU.

I'M SURE THE KIDS NEED IT AND LOVE IT.

JILL, LOCALLY SOURCED AND HEALTHY, I ASSUME -- I KNOW YOUR BACKGROUND IN THE BOSTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

THAT'S REAL, RIGHT?

>> YEAH.

>> Braude: THIS STUFF IS ALL LOCALLY SOURCED?

>> YES.

IT IS ALL LOCAL.

WE CAN FEED KIDS THIS WAY OR PLASTIC-WRAPPED, PROCESSED FOOD.

WE CHOOSE THIS.

>> Braude: HOW DOES A RESTAURANT QUALIFY, AND I DON'TCORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, HOW DOES A RESTAURANT QUALIFY IF THEY WANT TO ADD THEMSELVES TO THAT LIST?

>> IF THEY WANT TO DO IT, THEY JUST GIVE US A BUZZ.

GO TO locallungebox.org AND WE CAN HELP THEM OUT.

AND THERE ARE COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE CITY, TOO, JIM, THAT ARE SERVING FEELS VIA LOCAL LUNCH BOX.

WE SERVED FIVE MILLION MEALS LAST YEAR, AND WE EXPECT THAT NUMBER TO GROW EXPOEXPONENTIALLY.

>> Braude: WHY WOULD A RESTAURANT, PARTICULARLY COMING OUT OF A PANDEMIC, WHEN SO MANY ARE HANGING BY A THREAD, WHY WOULD THEY NOT SIGN UP?

IT SOUNDS LIKE IT IS A WIN/WIN KIND OF DEAL, NO?

>> IT IS A WIN/WIN, AND WE MODELED IT AFTER WHAT JOSE WAS DOING ACROSS THE COUNTRY, PAYING FOR MEALS THAT ARE COOKED BY RESTAURANTS TO KEEP RESTAURANTS IN BUSINESS.

WE THOUGHT, OKAY, THAT IS AMAZING, AND WHY DON'T WE CHANGE WHERE THE MONEY IS COMING FROM AND USE THE USDA DOLLARS.

WE'RE A NON-PROFIT, FAMILY BUSINESS, BUT IT TAKES PARTNERS TO GROW IT AND MAKE SURE RESTAURANTS ARE AWARE THEY CAN DO IT.

BUT I CAN'T SPOIL THE NEWS, BUT THERE WILL BE A BIG ANNOUNCEMENT IN A COUPLE OF WEEKS ABOUT ANOTHER PART OF THE COUNTRY THAT IS DOING THIS AS WELL.

>> Braude: OKAY, SPELL IT BACKWARDS.

CASSANDRIA, HOW DOES A KID IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD KNOW THEY CAN COME HERE AND GET WHAT SO FAR TASTES LIKE A FABULOUS AND HEALTHY MEAL.

HOW DO THEY DO THAT?

>> WE RECEIVED A WHOLE BUNCH OF FLIERS, AND WE HAVEN'T HAD ANY ISSUES PASSING IT OUT BECAUSE NEIGHBORS HAVE COME IN, TAKEN THE FLIERS, AND SAID, MY KID GOES TO THIS CAMP, AND IT IS DOWN THE STREET, AND I WOULD LOVE THESE FLIERS TO PASS IT OUT.

TODAY WAS OUR FIRST DAY LAUNCHING THE PROGRAM, AND WE HAD A WHOLE BUNCH OF KIDS COME IN.

SO I THINK IT IS A PROGRAM VERY MUCH-NEEDED AND DESIRED.

>> Braude: CONGRATULATIONS TO BOTH OF YOU.

AND WHEN I SAY GOOD-BYE, WE'LL TELL PEOPLE HOW THEY CAN LOCATE THIS.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

GOOD TO TALK TO BOTH OF YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON ALL OF THIS, AND MORE, VISIT LOCALLUNCHBOX.ORG OR SHAHFOUNDATION.ORG.

WITH ROUGHLY 1,400 MILES OF COASTLINE, MASSACHUSETTS SHOULD BE A BEACH LOVER'S PARADISE.

BUT AS CHRIS BURRELL FROM THE GBH NEWS CENTER FOR INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING FOUND, ACCESS TO BEACHES HERE IS DEEPLY UNEVEN, DEPENDENT ON PERSONAL WEALTH, AND OFTEN YOUR HOME ZIP CODE.

>> REPORTER: UP AND DOWN THE MASSACHUSETTS COASTLINE YOU CAN SEE HOW HARD IT CAN BE JUST TO GET A DAY AT THE BEACH: ACROSS THE STATE JUST 12% OF BEACHES ARE OPEN TO ALL MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.

>> OUR PUBLIC BEACHES ARE MAGNIFICENT IN THE STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS, BUT THEY'RE AVAILABLE TO JUST TOO FEW PEOPLE.

>> REPORTER: BRADLEY CAMPBELL HEADS THE CONSERVATION LAW FOUNDATION AND SAYS A BIG REASON BEACH ACCESS IS SO UNFAIR IN MASSACHUSETTS ARE COASTAL TOWNS THAT EFFECTIVELY EXCLUDE NONRESIDENTS.

RESERVATION SYSTEMS THAT THAT ARE BIASED AGAINST NONRESIDENTS, PARKING FEES AND BEACH STICKER FEES.

MASSACHUSETTS' COASTAL AND RECREATIONAL AGENCIES HAVEN'T ACQUIRED ANY NEW RECREATIONAL BEACH PROPERTIES SINCE THE LATE 1980'S.

WHAT THE STATE HAS DONE IS INVEST MILLIONS OF TAXPAYER DOLLARS INTO SEAWALLS AND SAND RENOURISHMENT FOR TOWN-OWNED BEACHES, MANY OF WHICH ARE ENTIRELY OR MOSTLY OFF-LIMITS TO THE PUBLIC THAT HELPED PAY FOR THOSE IMPROVEMENTS.

>> IF THE GENERAL TAXPAYERS OF MASSACHUSETTS ARE INVESTING IN THOSE AREAS, THEY SHOULDN'T BE EXCLUDED FROM THEM.

>> REPORTER: GRANTS FOR COASTAL RESILIENCE ARE SUPPOSED TO BE TIED TO PUBLIC ACCESS.

BUT SUNRISE BEACH IN MARSHFIELD IS FLANKED BY A SEAWALL COMPLETED SEVEN YEARS AGO WITH AT LEAST $2 MILLION IN STATE GRANTS.

NONRESIDENTS CAN'T PARK WITHIN A MILE OF THE BEACH.

GBH NEWS FOUND SIMILAR EXAMPLES IN NAHANT, CHILMARK AND WESTPORT.

BUT BEACHES THAT ARE OPEN TO ALL MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE FACING OTHER PRESSURES THAT AFFECT ACCESS.

VALERIE GILMAN IS PRESIDENT OF CITY COUNCIL IN GLOUCESTER, WHERE RESIDENTS HAVE PREFERENTIAL PARKING, BUT EVERY SUMMER OUT-OF-TOWNERS WAIT FOR HOURS IN HOPES OF NABBING A SPACE.

>> YOU SPEND TWO HOURS WAITING IN A QUEUE AND YOU GET THERE AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THEY PUT THE SIGN UP: NO MORE NON RESIDENTS.

>> REPORTER: AND THE IMPACT OF BEACH TRAFFIC ON RESIDENTS OF THIS COASTAL CITY HAS BEEN HUGE, SAYS GILMAN.

>> THE TRAFFIC THAT WAS HAPPENING, GETTING INTO THE BEACH QUEUE IN THE PARKING LOT WAS JUST HUGE TO THE POINT WHERE RESIDENTS THAT LIVE HERE COULDN'T EVEN GET OUT TO GO DOWNTOWN.

>> REPORTER: SO THE CITY JUST IMPLEMENTED AN ONLINE SYSTEM FOR NONRESIDENTS TO RESERVE AND PAY FOR BEACH PARKING.

IT'S UNCLEAR IF THIS POLICY WILL MEAN FEWER PEOPLE CAN ACCESS GLOUCESTER'S POPULAR BEACHES.

JUST NORTH AT CRANE BEACH IN IPSWICH YOU CAN SEE SIGNS OF ANOTHER THREAT TO ACCESS.

>> THE BEACHES?

THEY'RE SHRINKING.

>> REPORTER: TOM O'SHEA MANAGES NATURAL RESOURCES AT THE TRUSTEES OF RESERVATIONS WHICH OWNS THE POPULAR, FOUR-MILE-LONG BEACH.

HE SAYS EROSION FROM RISING SEA LEVELS AND MORE SEVERE STORMS ARE EATING AWAY AT BEACHES LIKE CRANE.

>> WE'VE LOST OVER 84 FOOTBALL FIELDS OF BEACH JUST IN THE LAST 30 TO 50 YEARS.

YOU'RE GETTING THESE BIGGER STORMS COMBINED WITH MORE WATER AND STORM SURGE.

AND IT'S JUST ERODING A LOT OF THESE BEACH DUNES AWAY.

>> REPORTER: THAT TREND THAT WILL JUST ACCELERATE, SAYS O'SHEA, JUST AS BEACHGOERS CONTINUE TO SCRAMBLE FOR A PIECE OF SAND WHERE THEY CAN THROW DOWN A TOWEL.

>> BRAUDE: CHRIS BURRELL JOINS ME NOW.

>> Braude: CHRIS, THANKS FOR DOING THAT.

>> HI, JIM.

>> Braude: SO THE 12% OF BEACHES THAT ARE ACCESSIBLE TO PUBLIC IS OBVIOUSLY A FANTASY.

THEY'RE SHRINKING, AS YOU SAID AT THE END, AND YOU CAN'T GET PARKING.

I WANT TO WALK A MILE FROM MY PARKING SPACE, WALK ON TO THE BEACH, AND LIE DOWN AND THROW A BALL WITH MY KID.

CAN I DO THAT?

>> WELL, IT DEPENDS ON WHAT TOWN YOU'RE IN.

LARGELY IT WILL BE DEPENDENT ON PARKING.

I WAS ON NANTUCKETT BEACH ON MEMORIAL DAY, AND THERE WAS NO PARKING.

IT WAS FILLED UP BY 9:00 IN THE MORNING ON A HOT DAY.

>> Braude: I DON'T JUST MEAN THE PARKING THING, IF I WALK ON TO THE BEACH FROM A DISTANCE, MY UNDERSTANDING IS THESE PROPERTY OWNERS, IF ON AN ADDITIONAL BEACH, ON A BEACH THAT IS NOT ONE OF THESE KINDS OF THINGS, OWN TO THE LOW TIDE LINE, REALISTICALLY, I CAN'T DO ANYTHING THERE ANYWAY, CAN I?

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

IN MASSACHUSETTS, STATE LAW SAYS PRIVATE BEACH OWNERS OWN ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE LOW TIDE ZONE.

SO IT IS TECHNICALLY PRIVATE BEACH UNLESS YOU ARE FISHING OR HUNTING DUCKS OR SOMEHOW NAVIGATING A BOAT TO AND FRO.

>> Braude: I DON'T DO THAT MUCH DUCK HUNTINGMENT YOU HAVE A GREAT STORY ABOUT SOMEONE WHO ACTUALLY BRAVED ONE OF THOSE THINGS AND WENT ON TO A BEACH BELOW THE LOW TIDE LINE.

I ASSUME THEY WERE NOT TREATED WELL?

>> NO.

I WAS INTERVIEWING A WOMAN IN NANTUCKET WHO WENT BEACH COMBING ON NANTUCKET AND ENCROACHED ON A PROPERTY THAT WAS POSTED WITH ROPES AND SIGNS AND STUFF, AND IT TURNED INTO AN ALLEGED ASSAULT.

>> Braude: NOT SURPRISED.

>> AND SHE IS AN ELDERLY WOMAN, ALMOST 80.

>> Braude: IT SEEMS TO ME PRETTY OBVIOUS IF THE STATE IS GIVING MONEY, THERE HAS TO BE A QUID PRO QUO.

IF MY MONEY GOES TO GLOUCESTER OR IPSWICH SHOULD BE ABLE TO ACCESS THE BEACH.

EITHER IT IS TIDE TO COASTAL ACCESS OR IT ISN'T.

WHERE IS THE DISCONNECT?

>> WELL, I THINK THEY'RE GETTING AROUND IT BY THE PARKING REGULATIONS.

BECAUSE THE BEACHES IN THE TOWNS ARE QUASI PUBLIC, BUT YOU CAN'T PARK NEAR THEM.

IT IS A LOOPHOLE THAT IS HAPPENING NOT JUST IN MASSACHUSTTS, BUT CONNECTICUT IS PRETTY NOTORIOUS FOR THE SAME KIND OF PRACTICES IN THE SWANKY SHORELINE TOWNS.

>> Braude: MY UNDERSTANDING ABOUT THIS LOW TIDE DEAL, AND YOU CAN ONLY DUCK HUNT AND FISH, THERE ARE A COUPLE OF LEGISLATORS FROM THE CAPE WHO ARE PROMOTING THAT THAT LOW TIDE LINE BE MOVED UP TO THE HIGH TIDE LINE, BUT EVEN IF IT PASSES, THERE WILL BE A LOT OF LITIGATION AROUND IT, CORRECT?

>> YEAH.

THE LAWMAKERS FROM THE CAPE WANT TO ADD THE WORD "RECREATION" TO ALLOWABLE USES ON PRIVATE BEACHES.

IT IS A LONG SHOT, AND THERE WOULD BE A LOT OF CONSTITUTIONAL PUSHBACK BECAUSE IT WOULD AMOUNT TO EMINENT LAND TAKING -- >> Braude: CHRIS BURRELL, GREAT REPORTING AS ALWAYS.

GREAT TO SEE YOU.

>> THANKS, JIM.

>> BRAUDE: THAT'S IT FOR TONIGHT.

WE'LL BE BACK TOMORROW.

A REMINDER TO PLEASE JOIN US FOR A SPECIAL BOSTON PUBLIC RADIO, LIVE FROM THE BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY TOMORROW.

BOSTON MAYOR MICHELLE WU WILL BE WITH US AT 11:00 FOR ASK THE MAYOR, AND THEN IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE SHOW, STICK AROUND FOR MARGERY EAGAN, CALLIE CROSSLEY AND PARIS ALSTON, AS THEY HOST A COMMUNITY CONVERSATION ABOUT THE SUPREME COURT ABORTION RULING.

THAT'S TOMORROW AT 2:00 ON GBH RADIO 89.7, AND STREAMING ONLINE AT YOUTUBE.COM/GBHNEWS.

FOR NOW, THANKS FOR WATCHING, AND PLEASE DON'T FORGET UKRAINE.

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