The Salem Pantry has been named the Greater Boston Food Bank Partner of the Year

SALEM, MA — The Salem Pantry has been honored as the Community Partner of the Year for fulfilling the Greater Boston Food Bank’s mission to meet client needs, assist with nutrition and education, and serve as a model for other agencies on the North Shore .

The award presentation was made at the Greater Boston Food Bank’s annual Partner Appreciation Awards.

The Salem Pantry has been recognized as a trusted strategic partner to fight hunger for Salem and surrounding communities. Its warehouse also serves as a shared drop-off point, allowing nearby agencies to pick up deliveries in one centralized location.

“The Salem Pantry is a shining example of the impact our food distribution system can have at the community level,” said Jonathan Tetrault, GBFB’s Vice President of Community Impact and Operations. “In addition to serving as a shared food delivery location for surrounding communities, Salem Pantry consistently goes above and beyond to promote hunger relief through education, responding to the unique needs of customers and advocating for additional funding and food sources.

“We hope this award conveys our deep appreciation for the efforts of its staff and the measurable impact they have on their community.”

In 2023 they also opened The Marketplace, the new permanent home for the food pantry, while continuing to offer weekly mobile markets at multiple locations around the city. The new pantry location allows customers to access nutritious food through a customer-choice model.

“We are thrilled and honored to be recognized as the 2024 Community Partner of the Year,” said Robyn Burns, Executive Director of The Salem Pantry. “Our partnership with The Greater Boston Food Bank has allowed us to find innovative ways to support our neighbors and fellow agencies on the North Shore.

“This recognition is a true testament to our commitment to providing healthy food in our community.”

A further ten awards were given to GBFB’s network of food distribution partners, volunteers, public officials, donors and supporters who have demonstrated their dedication to alleviating the food insecurity crisis and making extensive contributions to hunger relief. See the full list of awardees here.

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