Salem Pantry, Patriot Seafoods Awarded $320K State Food Grants

SALEM, MA — The Salem Pantry and Patriot Seafoods were awarded a combined $320,000 in state food infrastructure grants aimed at strengthening the connection between farmers and food producers and organizations that distribute food to those in need.

State Sen. Joan Lovely (D-Salem) announced the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources grants this week.

The Salem Pantry was awarded $120,000 and Patriot Seafoods was awarded $200,000.

"These grants will help make a more accessible and equitable food system in Salem and the surrounding communities," Lovely said.

The Food Security Infrastructure Grant program provides grants for capital infrastructure investments that increase access to locally produced food for families and individuals throughout the state who may be facing food insecurity, live in gateway cities or food deserts, or otherwise face unequal access to food.

The program seeks to ensure that farmers, fishers, and other local food producers are better connected to a strong, resilient food system to help mitigate future supply chain issues.

"The food system represents so much of what makes Massachusetts great," Gov. Maura Healey said. "From our national leadership in cranberries and fisheries, to our dairy and maple producers, to our farm-to-school and urban agriculture efforts, we are committed to building the state's food security through these grants."

(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.)