Salem Together Meal Program providing meals to Salem students and seniors during pandemic
Salem, Massachusetts – The City of Salem has received a state award through the Disaster Dislocated Worker Grant to hire four foodservice workers who were laid off due to COVID-19 in order to continue and expand the Salem Together meal program through the end of August. Through a partnership between MassHire and the recruiting company SnapChefs, three Hawthorne Hotel chefs and Mary Ferreira of Ferreira Foods, a Salem-based catering company, have been hired to help carry on and even grow the City’s food assistance program.
The Salem Together meal program began in March when Root, a culinary training program for youth, had to temporarily discontinue their program. Rather than let their kitchen go unused, they reached out to the City of Salem to see how they could repurpose their kitchen, staff, and program partners to serve the community.
Partnering with the City of Salem, Jewish Family and Children’s Service, and the Salem Housing Authority, Root began delivering two prepared meals per week to Salem seniors in nine low-income housing sites. This program has allowed at-risk residents to reduce their exposure to COVID-19 and still receive healthy, prepared meals.
In addition to senior meals, Root received funding to provide an additional meal at two of the Salem Public Schools’ “grab and go” sites, where breakfasts and lunches for children are served as a replacement for school meals.
Root was able to restart their training program this summer, which meant additional help was needed to continue the meal program. That need led to the grant award and the partnership with MassHire and SnapChefs.
“Root has been able to activate our kitchen and alumni talent thanks to strong City leadership and community-oriented partners like the Hawthorne Hotel and Ferreira Foods,” said Scott Knox, Executive Director of Root. “Root is honored to be a part of this team-effort in feeding our neighbors during this critical time.”
Root continues to prepare the senior meals on Mondays and Ferreira Foods has taken over on Wednesdays and Fridays. The Hawthorne Hotel chefs prepare all the additional school meals, which are delivered to the six school “grab and go” sites for students and families to pick up.
“The Hawthorne Hotel culinary team have been so proud to be participate with this amazing program for our community, using their skills for the greater good!” said Claire Kallelis, General Manager of the Hawthorne Hotel.
“Ferreira Foods is grateful for the opportunity to support our community during this difficult time, particularly by sharing our joy of the culinary arts,” said Mary Ferreira, owner of Ferreira Foods. “It has been a wonderful experience collaborating with the talented and knowledgeable chefs from Root and the Hawthorne Hotel. We thank the superb work done by the City organizers and all the volunteers who give their time. It is a true testament to the positive impact we can have when working together as a strong dedicated team.”
“I am so pleased that we have innovative partners in our City, who came together so quickly earlier this year when the pandemic began and who continue to be engaged in our recovery and support efforts,” said Mayor Kim Driscoll. “Not only has this effort been able to provide healthy meals to some our neediest residents, through this newest iteration of the Salem Together Meal Program we’re also able to leverage the skills and talents of exceptional chefs right here in our community. I’m grateful to Root, to our City staff and Salem Together team members who worked to make this happen, and to the Commonwealth for the funding that made this program possible.”
Since March, the Salem Together meal program has provided over 15,000 meals to Salem seniors and students. This program also relies on many community volunteers, who pick up and deliver the meals to both senior residence sites and school “grab and go” locations.
