Press Release – The Salem Pantry Addresses Rising Food Insecurity Crisis in Massachusetts.
Salem, MA. (June 13, 2023) – The Salem Pantry has seen a surge in demand as new data on food insecurity is released.
The Greater Boston Food Bank, the largest hunger-relief organization in New England, recently released their Third Annual Statewide Report, shedding light on the food insecurity crisis in Massachusetts.
The report reveals that an alarming one in three Massachusetts households faced food insecurity in 2022 with 20% of them experiencing “very low food security”. These statistics closely mirror the daily reality of the team at The Salem Pantry.
“The need for our services continues to rise, we now see an average of 1,500 visits per week through our Pop Up Sites and The Market” emphasized Mike Lilly, Director of Programs and Partnerships for The Salem Pantry.
The Greater Boston Food Bank’s report also revealed an increase in food pantry usage across the state. Among households facing food insecurity, 51% used food pantry services for assistance, marking a rise from 46% in 2021. 54% of new clients reported an increased cost of groceries as a primary reason for seeking out pantries in 2022.
“We have all witnessed the soaring cost of groceries in stores” said Lilley, “The Salem Pantry plays a key role in supplementing the expenses of a weekly grocery trip for members of our community.”
The Market, The Salem Pantry’s first brick-and-mortar location, has unveiled a strong demand for free, fresh, and healthy food within and around Salem.
The Market facilitated 5100 unique visits since opening on April 22, 2023. During this same time, 875 new households registered with the pantry through the end of May.
For those interested in supporting or learning more on The Salem Pantry, please visit www.thesalempantry.org for more information.
To read more from The Greater Boston Food Bank’s Third Annual Statewide Report visit https://www.gbfb.org/what-we-do/data-research/
The Salem Pantry provides The North Shore with convenient access to fresh, free, healthy food offering an abundant selection of produce, proteins, spices, and dairy products. Salem Pantry mission is to work collaboratively to empower our diverse local and regional communities by ensuring the essential right to convenient and reliable access to healthy food.
The Salem Pantry is a 501(c)(3) charity, Federal Tax ID: 20-1691756, and an agency of the Greater Boston Food Bank.
All donations are deemed tax-deductible absent any limitations on deductibility applicable to a particular taxpayer.
The Salem Pantry, Inc. • PO Box 295, Salem, MA 01970 • 978-552-3954
www.thesalempantry.org
