Salem Public Schools Awarded $100K For Food Delivery Van

SALEM, MA — The state awarded Salem Public Schools more than $100,000 from its Food Security Infrastructure Program to purchase a food delivery van to bring food to delivery sites and student homes amid the coronavirus health crisis.

The $104,954 grant was part of the $5.9 million in grants the state announced in the fourth round of funding from the program under the state's COVID-19 Command Center's Food Security Task Force.

"As part of our response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we continue to build on our efforts to secure a resilient, diverse local food supply chain so Massachusetts residents maintain access to fresh, healthy food," said Governor Charlie Baker."With this fourth round of grants, we will have awarded a total of $17.7 million, making critical investments in our local food infrastructure and ensuring a secure supply of food as residents across the Commonwealth adjust to the impacts of this unprecedented public health challenge."

The goal of the program is to make sure families have access to local food.

"This grant will allow the department to improve the efficiency of meal sites and home delivery to students," Salem Public Schools said. "SPS Food and Nutrition Services will be able to safely and efficiently provide at least 1,500 meals a day, increase meal delivery to children and families with disabilities or other barriers to meal access, and collaborate with community organizations throughout the district to serve meals to other vulnerable populations."

The program also looks to help farmers, fishermen and other local food producers connect to a food system that helps them avoid supply and distribution issues.

When evaluating applicants, the state said considerations included equity, economic impact and need, sustainability and scalability of efforts, and the ability to accept public assistance benefits programs.

The latest round of proposals were due on Sept. 15 with past applications kept for evaluation for future funding.

The task force is composed of a broad group of public and private members charged with ensuring food insecurity and food supply needs are addressed during the COVID-19 public health emergency.