Low-Cost MA Grocery Chain Shutters Citing Historically High Food Costs

SALEM, MA — The Daily Table, a nonprofit, low-cost grocery store that sold items at 20 to 30 percent below that of competitor chain stores, closed its four locations in Greater Boston this month amid what the Board of Directors called "historically high levels of food price increases" and
"the current uncertain and difficult funding environment."

The Daily Table opened its location on Lafayette Street in Salem in September 2023 to go along with locations in Cambridge's Central Square, Dorchester, Mattapan and Roxbury. The Mattapan location previously closed in January.

• Daily Table To Open In Salem's Point Neighborhood As Discount Nonprofit Grocery Model

The Board of Directors said the stores served more than three million customers and returned more than $16 million in savings to the community.

"Without immediate funding to bridge us through 2025, we cannot continue," the Board of Directors said. "After careful consideration, we have come to the heartbreaking conclusion that we can no longer continue operations.

"Please know that due to the urgency of the situation, we were unable to individually reach out to all of our longstanding partners, and we apologize if this news comes as a shock. We understand that this comes at a time when other food access resources and organizations are at risk, which makes this news even more difficult to share. We hope that those who have been generous to Daily Table will continue investing in other organizations to meet the ongoing need."

The Salem Pantry issued a statement on the closure, saying The Daily Table "became a trusted source of affordable, nutritious food and a valued partner in our mission to fight food insecurity."

"Their absence, especially in The Point neighborhood, will be felt in immediate and lasting ways," the Pantry said. "As we adjust to support neighbors who relied on The Daily Table, we are grateful for the many ways our community continues to show up, whether by giving, volunteering or helping spread the word."

The Daily Table included a list of food resources in their announcement:

• HELP WITH SNAP
• Call the Project Bread Hotline: 1-800-645-8333
• FIND A PANTRY
• Use the Greater Boston Food Bank pantry finder.
• Put in your neighborhood, zip code, or address and pantries in the area will appear, with hours, descriptions, and contact information (if available). You can also use the "filter" button to help you find what you are looking for.
• FREE OR LOW-COST FOOD
• Food Resource Guide, in several languages:
• English
• Espanol - Spanish
• Kreyol Ayisyen - Haitian Creole
• Tieng Viet - Vietnamese
• Kriolu Kabuverdianu - Cape Verdean Creole

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)