Salem Free Mobile Market Serves 500 Families

SALEM, MA — A free mobile market at Salem State University's O'Keefe Center served 500 Salem families on Tuesday.

Whole Foods Market and The Salem Pantry hosted the mobile market as part of the Whole Foods "Nourishing Our Neighbors" initiative with Whole Foods employees from its Beverly, Swampscott and Lynnfield locations joining The Salem Pantry team members in providing fresh produce and shelf-stable items in a farmer's market setup.

"Whole Foods Market is a key partner in supporting food security in Salem and the North Shore," said The Salem Pantry Executive Director Robyn Burns. "We are thrilled to be chosen as one of six organizations throughout the country to hold this special Mobile Market today."

Whole Foods Market's Nourishing Our Neighborhoods is a nationwide program aimed at
expanding the capacity and capability of community-based food rescue organizations. The Salem Pantry was selected, highlighting its impact in the community.

"We're proud to work with Family Table Collaborative through our Grocery Rescue program," Whole Foods Market Community Giving and Engagement Senior Specialist Jonny Rose said. "It is great to be a part of their effort to reduce food waste and support members of the community affected by food insecurity."

The Salem Pantry regularly works with Whole Foods Market through its Grocery Rescue Program, which donates a wide range of rescued food to the pantry each week.

(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.)