Salem High Culinary Students Open Black Cat Food Pantry

SALEM, MA — Salem High School culinary arts students launched a new food pantry to address food insecurity within their school community.

The Black Cat Food Pantry is located on the first floor near the Black Cat Bistro restaurant.

"I'm proud of our students for taking an active role in supporting our community," CTE Culinary Instructor Jeff Stuart said. "The Black Cat Pantry allows them to apply their skills in a meaningful way, ensuring that no student has to face hunger alone.

"It's a truly rewarding experience to see them make a difference."

Stuart added that the project holds personal significance based on his own upbringing.

"I did not come from an affluent family," he said. "Therefore, giving back to the kids is huge for us as well as the students."

The Stop & Shop School Food Pantry Program contributed $7,500 and a commercial refrigerator to support the initiative.

"We are always looking for creative ways to partner with local schools to fight hunger," said Stephanie Cunha, Manager of External Communications and Community Relations for Stop & Shop. "This program is unique because it both gives Salem’s culinary students hands-on, real-world experience while empowering them to make a meaningful difference in their community."

Culinary students will prepare nutritious, ready-to-eat meals, design menus, and manage pricing for the pantry. The pantry will also stock hygiene products and fresh produce.

The Black Cat Food Pantry will operate on Fridays, providing microwaveable meals for students to take home for the weekends.

"There are so many of our families in need of support, and looking for that little push to get over a barrier, and this is one of those pieces to the puzzle that will support our families," Salem High Principal Glenn Burns said. "We want to be able to support our whole community and our students to reach their dreams and goals and not worry about food insecurity."