A pilot program launched in the spring by Arlington EATS is expanding food access for seniors and adults with disabilities at Drake Village, Arlington Housing Authority’s largest residential property with 216 income-qualified units.
The new Mini Market at Drake Village, which opened in late April, is a satellite of Arlington EATS’ flagship Market — a full-choice, free food pantry offering fresh produce, proteins, dairy, pantry staples, and essential non-food items. Arlington EATS says the expansion will also help create additional capacity at its primary EATS Market location at 117 Broadway.
The Mini Market exclusively serves Drake Village residents and aims to reduce barriers to grocery access. The Mini Market is expected to serve 150 households monthly and is open two days per week. It is open to Drake residents only.
“In our work to address food insecurity, it’s not just availability that matters – access matters just as much,” said Andi Doane, executive director of Arlington EATS. “The Mini Market at Drake Village allows us to bring healthy food directly into the community, meeting neighbors where they are in a way that is dignified and community-centered.”
The pilot comes at a time of growing demand for food assistance locally and statewide. Since reductions to SNAP benefits and other safety net programs in the last year – felt most acutely during the government shutdown and SNAP freeze in November 2025 – Arlington EATS has experienced a sustained increase in demand. The organization currently serves an average of 550 Arlington households per week, surpassing even its Covid-19 pandemic service levels, according to Arlington EATS.
In addition to grocery distribution, the Mini Market also includes a new nutrition-focused component called the Cook & Thrive Senior Nutrition Initiative. This initiative includes nutrition education and messaging, healthy meal kits, optional blood pressure screenings, and more. It is being carried out in collaboration with Dr. Kelseanna Hollis-Hansen of the Tufts Food is Medicine Institute at the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University, with support from graduate students from the Friedman School at Tufts.
Arlington EATS says the Mini Market reflects the organization’s broader efforts to expand food access and increase the number of neighbors served.
Arlington EATS is deeply grateful to Arlington Housing Authority and its Executive Director, Jack Nagle, for their partnership and for providing space at Drake Village. “The Arlington Housing Authority is proud to partner with Arlington EATS on this exciting initiative, which will not only help address food insecurity at Drake Village but also promote healthier outcomes through Arlington EATS’ collaboration with members of the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University,” Nagle said. “We are deeply grateful to Andi Doane, Susan Dorson, Johanna Niles, and the entire Arlington EATS team for their dedication in bringing this valuable resource to our residents.”
This news item, published on July 16, 2026, used information provided by Arlington EATS and the Arlington Housing Authority.
