Federal funding cuts have impacted food access all over the country. Learn of the many local resources that are available here or around Salem.
By Mia Amaral
With Thanksgiving on Thursday, several organizations are providing free meals for community members in Salem and surrounding communities. Information on volunteering and location information can be found here.
Salem has a multitude of free or low-cost food resources available for its residents. With the recent cuts to federal funding, it is imperative that the people of Salem and the surrounding North Shore area know what resources are available to them and their local community members.
These cuts target the access to food and other essential items, with many community members left feeling concerned or scared on the reliability of accessing these resources. Cuts to federal funding for food services have created significant challenges for local food assistance programs, such as those in Salem, leaving many communities struggling to meet the growing demand. As federal funding decreases, food pantries and meal programs are forced to rely more heavily on local donations and fundraising efforts, which may not be enough to fill the gap. SNAP payments have been restricted for the month of November due to the recent government shutdown. A federal court has ruled that the USDA must release all November EBT funds. As of Saturday, November 8th, in Massachusetts, all SNAP households should have received their full funds for the month. Full benefits will be sent on their normal schedule going forward starting in December, with the SNAP program funded through September 2026. This reduction of resources and uncertainty places a strain on community members and groups, reducing access to essential food and increasing food insecurity. To combat this uncertainty, the Salem Food Policy Council has constructed a list of the resources available to anyone in Salem and surrounding towns.
The Daily Table, a chain of non-profit, affordable grocery stores in the Greater Boston Area, closed its doors in May of 2025. Having been open since 2015, the Daily Table set out to provide the local region with low-cost, nutritious food. Over the 10-year operation, the Daily table served 3 million customers, returning over $16 million in savings to the community, while removing the barriers to healthy food. Due to historically high food prices, the current uncertainty and difficult funding environment, and complications as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, operating the Daily Table became unsustainable, and it was forced to close all locations. With the closure of the Daily Table, residents have found themselves looking for an alternative. Luckily our Food Policy Council has hosted a conversation about this and is actively seeking a solution. In the meantime, there are many local markets and bodegas in The Point, such as the Tropicana located on Congress Street. There’s also a couple of ones on Lafayette Street who most if not all accept SNAP.
The Mack Park Farm enhances local and regional food security by providing the Salem community with healthy, locally grown food through urban farming. The City of Salem contracts with local farmers who, with the help of community volunteers, grow thousands of pounds of produce each season that is provided to the Salem community for free at biweekly farmers’ markets at the farm, and through its partnership with The Salem Pantry. From July through October, the farm hosts free farmers’ markets every other Saturday, from 10-11 AM. Visitors can expect a variety of fresh produce and herbs. The Mack Park Farm is located at 31 Grove St, Salem, MA, and always welcomes seasonal volunteers throughout spring and early fall. By blending food security with best community practices, the Mack Park Farm serves as a model of how grassroots initiatives can help fill gaps left by reduced federal funding, making it a vital resource in the fight against hunger and food insecurity in Salem. Volunteer at Mack Park Farm
The Salem Survival Program (SSP) is another effort that helps provide for the community. They are a group dedicated to the just and humane living of unsheltered and low-income community members within Salem. In addition to providing cooked meals and donated food, SSP also offers clothing, hygiene products, and other essential items to community members in need. The organization relies heavily on volunteers who cook meals, as well as community donations of both food and clothing. Volunteer to Cook a Saturday Meal The Salem Pantry is another resource within the city that provides community members with free or low-cost food. Hosting various food programs, such as an in-person brick-and-mortar store, grocery delivery services, and a mobile pantry program. The Salem Pantry provides food for Salem State University students as well, bringing their mobile pantry program to campus, making healthy and affordable food available for all students. The Salem Pantry is located at 45 Congress Street, Salem, MA. Register for the Market or Sign up to Volunteer.
Salem Public Schools has partnered with Food Nutrition Services (FNS) to ensure students are being fed. Operating out of 8 food sites, serving all 11 public schools, Food Nutrition Services provides healthy, fresh breakfast and lunch. Salem High School provides dinner every weekday to students at no cost. FNS is committed to sourcing and serving locally grown food when possible, with a mission to connect students to their local community via their food; however, due to reductions in federal funding, schools like those in Salem, which offer free meals to students, are at risk of cuts to these vital programs, jeopardizing the nutritional well-being of students.
By supporting our local organizations, equitable food access can be brought to our Salem community. These efforts not only provide immediate relief but also foster long-term sustainability, ensuring local individuals have reliable access to nutritious food, regardless of their circumstances.
Mia Amaral is SAFE’s Programs Intern.