FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Salem Pantry Recognizes Local Grocery Store Partnerships
Collaboration Ensures Food Access for Pantry Guests Amid Growing Demand
Salem, MA (February 28, 2024) – The Salem Pantry proudly highlights its collaboration with seven local grocery stores, working together to meet the increasing demand for food among a growing guest population.
The Salem Pantry collaborates with the following grocery stores through food rescue donations:
- ALDI
- Shaw’s
- Stop & Shop
- Daily Table
- Henry’s Fine Foods
- Whole Foods
- Hannaford
“By making these connections with retailers in our communities, we don’t just increase the variety of food accessible to our pantry guests, we also create partnerships that give these companies a larger stake in our communities…” spoke Food Acquisition & Distribution Manager Fred Norton. “By participating in food rescue operations, these businesses directly contribute to our community, benefiting our guests and significantly reducing waste”.
The Greater Boston Food Bank provides the majority of food distributed by The Salem Pantry. However, support from local stores has been crucial in maintaining consistent access to food, especially outside of the growing season, as the number of pantry visits continues to increase each month (6,600 in January).
“We donate to the pantry because we do not like to see any food go to waste…” said Laurie Eline Director of Food Service for Henry’s Beverly. “It helps us to be a part of the community and we are grateful to see this food go to those who need it.”
All donated food is received through The Salem Pantry’s Food Storage and Distribution Warehouse. Here, items are sorted and distributed through the pantry’s brick-and-mortar location, The Market, along with mobile pantry sites, and the pantry’s home delivery program.
In addition to partnering with grocery stores, The Salem Pantry receives food rescue donations from various other sources, including local bakeries and wholesalers including Lulu’s Bakery and Pantry & A & J King Artisan Bakers. The pantry receives an average of 32,000 pounds of donated food each month through these food rescue partnerships.
For more information on The Salem Pantry and its various programs and partnerships, visit www.thesalempantry.org.
About The Salem Pantry:
The Salem Pantry provides the North Shore with convenient access to fresh, free, healthy food. Our innovative pop-up pantries, home deliveries, and The Market offer an abundant selection of produce, proteins, spices, and dairy products. We partner with local farmers and health organizations to nourish our community from the inside out. The Salem Pantry serves over 2,750 households and distributes over 175,000 pounds of food per month.
Contact:
Kia Fernandes, Marketing and Communications Manager