SALEM — When Root, a culinary-training program for local youth, shut down because of the global pandemic it decided to help feed its neighbors. Now a state grant will help serve those meals even longer.
The City of Salem received a state award through the Disaster Dislocated Worker Grant to hire four foodservice workers who were laid off due to COVID-19 and expand the Root’s meal program through the end of August.
The program, called Salem Together, began in March when Root had to temporarily discontinue their normal 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 help 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, reducing exposure to at-risk people.
Along with the 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.
Since the programs start, Root has delivered 15,000 meals to seniors and students with plenty of help from local volunteers.
“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, the executive director of the organization. “Root is honored to be a part of this team effort in feeding our neighbors during this critical time.”
Root was able to reopen its kitchen and resume its normal practices earlier this summer, meaning additional help was needed to continue the meal program. That need led to the grant award and a partnership with MassHire and SnapChefs.
Through those partnerships, three Hawthorne Hotel chefs and Mary Ferreira, owner 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 Hawthorne Hotel culinary team has been so proud to 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,” Ferreira said.”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.”
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.