The Market by The Salem Pantry welcomed 250 households on its first day, and has continued to exceed all expectations since.
The excitement for the opening began during the Grand Opening Event on April 21st, attended by Senator Joan Lovely, State Representative Manny Cruz, Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll, North Shore Community Development Coalition’s Deputy Chief Executive Director Felicia Pierce and Jonathan Tetrault, Vice President of Community Impact and Operations at The Greater Boston Food Bank, among other longtime supporters of The Salem Pantry.
“This is a great day for The Salem Pantry and most importantly for our neighbors in need here in the Salem area that we are all committed to serving,” Tetrault said during his speech at the grand opening event.
Executive Director Robyn Burns expressed her gratitude to the many volunteers, supporters, and esteemed guests who helped make the opening a success. “We are thrilled to have been able to celebrate this remarkable milestone with our community, including many of our long-term supporters,” said Burns. “The Market’s success is a testament to the hard work and dedication of everyone involved.”
The Salem Pantry also held a free community event after the official opening, which allowed community members to explore the new space, connect with local organizations such as The North Shore Community Development Coalition and North Shore Community Health, and enjoy food provided by Root. The “Meet us at The Market” event was attended by Congressman Seth Moulton who spoke on food insecurity and the vital role that projects like The Market play. Addressing food insecurity in a collaborative way is key to The Salem Pantry’s approach, “Burns commented. “We are grateful to our many community partners, active volunteers and pantry guests, who have played a key role in the launch of The Market.”
Since opening day, The Market has seen an average of 750 households visit per week, a clear indication of the high demand for accessible, healthy food in the community. The Market is open at a variety of hours throughout the week, including evenings and weekends. In addition, public pop up pantries are available throughout Salem. New guests can register upon arrival, and there are no income or residential requirements to receive food. Interested in supporting or learning more on The Salem Pantry? Visit www.thesalempantry.org for more information.
The Salem Pantry provides The North Shore with convenient access to fresh, free, healthy food offering an abundant selection of produce, proteins, spices, and dairy products. Salem Pantry mission is to work collaboratively to empower our diverse local and regional communities by ensuring the essential right to convenient and reliable access to healthy food.