The Salem Pantry Awarded $2 Million To Lease Food Distribution Warehouse

SALEM, MA — The Salem Pantry will lease a 20,000-square-foot warehouse in the city to better serve those in need on the North Shore through a $2 million grant from The Greater Boston Food Bank.

The warehouse will increase The Salem Pantry's food storage capacity by five times, and provide infrastructure for up to 20 additional emergency food distribution partners in lower Essex County, according to the Greater Boston Food Bank. The Food Bank said food distribution increased by 8 percent in the past year, but is still lagging behind increasing demand.

This grant is made possible by state funds dedicated to creating a networked infrastructure to combat rising rates of food insecurity.

"The immediate need for food assistance continues to grow across Eastern Massachusetts, accelerated by federal nutrition program cuts and the high cost of living here in the Commonwealth," said Catherine D’Amato, President and CEO of The Greater Boston Food Bank. "The Salem Pantry has
long been one of our strategic partners.

"This investment will enhance the capacity not only in Salem, but at 20 additional GBFB Agency
Partners in the area, creating a more durable food system to ensure access to healthy food for more neighbors during a time of growing need."

The Salem Pantry will also soon launch a fundraising campaign that will ensure the project can support the region's growing need for food.

In 2024, The Salem Pantry served more than 31,500 individuals, including one in five Salem households, over 16,700 Lynn residents, and households from every community across southern Essex County.

"This support will unlock new possibilities not only for our organization, but most importantly, for the people of Essex County," said Robyn Burns, Executive Director of The Salem Pantry. "We recognize that ensuring access to nutritious food for our neighbors requires strong collaboration among the many dedicated organizations across the North Shore.

"This project will serve as a vital resource, strengthening the food security safety net throughout the region."

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