Salem Community Food AssessmentSALEM COMMUNITY
FOOD ASSESSMENT
Kerry Murphy
Healthy Living Coordinator
Russell Findley
Built Environment Coordinator
Mayor
Kimberley Driscoll
Abstract
The Salem Community Food Assessment (SCFA) was designed as a tool to create a more equitable food
system. The findings of this assessment will be used to set goals and make policy recommendations to improve
access to healthy, affordable foods for all Salem residents.
The overall findings regarding food access show that residents have difficulty finding affordable fresh produce
and lean meats in the smaller food retailers closer to their homes. Residents cited family schedules, food
preferences and food costs as being the biggest barriers to eating healthfully in Salem. Larger stores in Salem
offer a good selection of fresh produce and lean meats at reasonable prices. However, the larger stores are
difficult to access without a car.
There is a lack of collaboration among Emergency Food Providers (EFPs) in Salem, which may result in
unnecessary expenses and the duplication of services. EFPS also find it challenging to meet the needs of those
requiring special diets, such as diabetic, gluten-free or lactose-free diets. There is also a lack of consistency in
providing culturally appropriate foods, even though some EFPs reported almost two-thirds of their clientele
as Latino. Likewise, there are no pantries located in neighborhoods experiencing the highest rates of food
insecurity, such as the Point, which is over 40% Latino. Funding, lack of nutritious foods and transportation
costs are the biggest barriers EFPs face in providing their services.
Salem is primarily an urban community, but there is one working farm: Maitland Mountain Farm. In addition,
Salem has a robust community garden organization, a popular farmers’ market, school gardens and Salem Y
GreenSpace – an educational agricultural program that provides produce weekly to residents in need. There is
an interest in community agriculture among Salem residents, with more than half of survey respondents who do
not currently garden or grow their own food reporting they would be interested in doing so.
Seventy-five percent of restaurant owners who responded to the Salem Restaurant Survey reported that food
waste is not an issue at their establishments. Nearly half of respondents said they usually have no food waste,
while others send leftovers home with employees, compost or donate leftovers. However, nearly 30% reported
that at least some food is thrown away. While Salem State University and the local supermarkets all have food-
waste reduction initiatives in place, not enough information regarding food waste is available for other local
facilities such as the Salem Public Schools and Salem hospitals. There may be opportunities for further waste
reduction strategies such as composting in the public schools and food recovery programs that could benefit
EFPs.
Based on these findings, the recommendations of the Salem Food Policy Council (SFPC) include: encouraging
local food retailers to provide healthier options for customers, collaboration between EFPs to streamline
services and reduce transportation costs and the revision of municipal policies in order to support community
agriculture.
Acknowledgements
The Salem Community Food Assessment would not have been possible without the dedication and hard work
of the Salem Food Policy Council and many community partners and volunteers. Mass in Motion Salem would
like to thank the following organizations for their invaluable support:
• Citizen’s Inn/Haven from Hunger
• Farm Direct Coop
• Jewish Family & Children’s Service (JF&CS)
• Lifebridge
• Maitland Mountain Farm
• Metropolitan Area Planning Council
• North Shore Community Development Coalition
• North Shore Community Health, Inc.
• Root
• Salem Chamber of Commerce
• Salem Community Gardens
• Salem Farmers’ Market
• Salem Main Streets
• Salem Public Schools Food & Nutrition Services
• Salem State University
• Salem YMCA GreenSpace
• Salvation Army
• Tabernacle Church
• City of Salem Planning Department
• City of Salem Health Department
• City of Salem Mayor’s Office
We would like to especially thank the following individuals for their help with the research process,
administering surveys, and overall involvement in the writing of this assessment: Sara Moore, Ph.D., Heidi
Stucker, Matthew Buchanan, Kylie Sullivan, Beth Alaimo, Patrice Toomey, Deb Jeffers, Patricia Zaido, Lynda
Fairbanks Atkins, Katina Polemenako, Rachel Lutts, Susanna Baird, Kelley Annese, Kate Benashki, Julie Pottier-
Brown, Dave Woolfenden, and Sara Woolfenden.
Mass in Motion would also like to thank Mayor Kimberley Driscoll for her support of this project, and for her
dedication to improving access to healthy, affordable foods for all Salem residents.
BACKGROUND . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
FOOD SECURITY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
COMMUNITY AGRICULTURE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
FOOD ACCESS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29
FOOD WASTE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52
REFERENCES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54
APPENDIX A- RESIDENT FOOD SURVEY (RFS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55
APPENDIX B- EMERGENCY FOOD PROVIDER SURVEY (EFP) . . . . . . . . . . . .78
APPENDIX C- CONVENIENCE STORE SURVEY (CSS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .106
APPENDIX D- GLOSSARY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .110
APPENDIX E- SALEM FOOD SECURITY RESOURCE GUIDE . . . . . . . . . . . . . .112
Mission Statement
The Salem Food Policy Council assesses the city’s food
landscape by identifying how and where residents are
able to access nutritious and affordable food, and makes
evidence-based recommendations to promote food justice
and health equity in the Salem community .
BACKGROUND
BACKGROUND 8
Background
The Salem Food Policy Council (SFPC) was created in the fall of 2016 as part of a Mass in Motion strategy. The goal
was to bring community stakeholders together to identify potential barriers many Salem residents face in accessing
safe, healthy, culturally appropriate and affordable foods by conducting a Community Food Assessment.
The SFPC is a group of community members from diverse backgrounds, and includes municipal leaders,
representatives of the Salem Public Schools, representatives of Salem State University, emergency food providers,
members of the urban agriculture community, members of the faith-based community, representatives of non-profit
organizations and concerned residents. The SFPC meets bimonthly to discuss food-and nutrition-related issues in
Salem, while also identifying community resources and services that improve access to nutritious, affordable foods for
Salem residents.
The Salem Community Food Assessment (SCFA) is the culmination of the SFPC’s thorough evaluation of Salem’s
food system. There are four primary areas of focus to the SCFA: food insecurity, community agriculture, food access
and food waste. Each of these areas impacts how and where residents are able to access nutritious, affordable foods.
What is a Community Food Assessment?
A Community Food Assessment (CFA) is an evaluation of specific
components of a community’s food system . The process of conducting a CFA
is collaborative, interactive, and should examine a broad scope of community
food assets, as well as areas that need improvement . The purpose of the
assessment is to create goals, action plans and policy recommendations
that will reduce and potentially eliminate barriers to accessing healthy foods .
Objectives
• Identify how and where Salem residents currently access food
• Identify barriers to accessing nutritious, affordable foods at both the
city and neighborhood level
• Assess community resources in place that improve food access
• Describe residents’ satisfaction with food available in their
neighborhood
• Gauge residents’ awareness of the relationship between diet and
health
BACKGROUND 9
Definition of Community
The city of Salem is an ethnically and racially diverse coastal community on the north shore of Massachusetts. With
a population of 42,804, Whites make up the majority of the population at 77.9%, 16.2% are Hispanic, 6.0% are Black
and 2.2% are Asian.1 Twenty-four percent of the population speak a language other than English at home. The biggest
age category in Salem is between 20 and 39 years old (32.5%), with 18.3% aged 60 years and older.1 The average
family size in Salem is 3.1, which is the smallest of the surrounding north shore communities.2 The average family
size in Lynn is 3.6, and is 3.2 for all of Massachusetts. Married couples with no children account for 64% of total
households. Single mothers made up 36% of all births in Salem. (MA average is 30%.1)
Economics
Salem has a poverty level higher than the state average (14.5% and 10.4%, respectively).2 Salem also has the
second- highest poverty rate out of the neighboring seven north shore towns. (Lynn has a poverty rate of 20.2%.) The
poverty level is highest in the Hispanic community at 34%, with Blacks experiencing a 30% poverty level, and 10%
for Whites.2 The percentage of families using some form of public assistance such as Temporary Assistance for Needy
Families (TANF) and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is also higher in Salem at 17% than the
state average of 13%.1 Department of Education data shows that 46.6% of Salem Public School students are classified
as “economically disadvantaged.”3
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
60 or
older
40-5920-3920 and
under
Percentage
Salem Age Distribution
Table 1
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
Hispanic2 or More RacesA
s
i
a
nBlackWhite OtherMassachusetts*Salem*
Demographic Breakdown
Percentage
*2012-2016 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates
Table 2
0
5
10
15
20
25
MassachusettsLynnSalem
Poverty Level
Percentage
14.5%
20.2%
10.4%
Table 3
Salem Poverty Level by Race and Ethnicity
Percentage
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
HispanicBlackWhite
10%
30%
34%
Table 4
BACKGROUND 10
Statement of Nutrition-Related Chronic Disease
Diabetes
Diabetes-related ER visits in 2008 in Salem were 128.7
per 100,000 people, compared to the state average of 111.2.
Diabetes-related inpatient hospitalizations in 2009 were
451.8 per 100,000 people, compared to the state average
of 488.5. Salem was lowest of all areas served by North
Shore Medical Center (NSMC).4 Salem had one of the
lowest percentages of residents reporting diabetes in the
2015 statewide Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System
(BRFSS) (1 out of 5 quintile), but had one of the highest
percentages of residents reporting pre-diabetes (4 out of 5
quintile).5
Coronary Heart Disease (CHD)
The rate of CHD in Salem is 106.1 per 100,000 people,
compared to the state average of 101.5.4
Cardiovascular Disease (CVD)
The rate of CVD in Salem is 35.1 per 100,000 people,
compared to the state average of 32.0.4
Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI)
The rate of AMI in Salem is 29.4 per 100,000 people,
compared to the state average of 29.7.4
Hypertension
Hypertension-related hospitalizations in Salem were
51.62 per 100,000 people (based on a 5-year average
between 2008-2012), compared to the state average of
50.97.5
Obesity
Obesity is the leading cause of chronic disease in the U.S.
and the numbers continue to rise. The adult overweight/
obesity rate in Salem and the surrounding towns served
by NSMC is 61.7% compared with 58.2% for the state of
Massachusetts.4 According to the 2012-2014 BRFSS, 23.4%
of Massachusetts adults are obese, compared to 25.3% in
Essex County.5 Salem scored a 4 out of 5 on the BRFSS
quintile scale for obesity, meaning it had one of the highest
reported obesity rates in the state.5 Childhood overweight/
obesity in Salem is also higher than the state average at
41%, compared to 33.4% for all of Massachusetts.4
0
100
200
300
400
500
Massachusetts Salem
Inpatient HospitalizationER Visits
Per
100k
People
Diabetes-Related Hospitalization
Table 5
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
HypertensionAcute Myocardial InfarctionCardiovascular DiseaseCoronary Heart DiseasePer
100k
people
Cardiovascular-Related Illness
Data source: Massachusetts Department of Public Health, MassCHIP, 2008-2010 hospital data
Table 6
0
10
20
30
40
50
MassachusettsSalem
Childhood Overweight/Obesity
Percentage
Table 7
BACKGROUND 11
According to Salem Public School data, 36% and 39%
of first-grade males and females respectively had a Body
Mass Index (BMI) in the overweight/obese range in 2016.
This percentage increased by fourth grade to 43% for
males and 48% for females. By seventh grade, males in
this range increased again to 52%, though seventh grade
females in the overweight/obese range decreased slightly
to 45 percent. By tenth grade, males and females in the
overweight/obese BMI range decreased to 47% and 37%
respectively.
Methodology
The Salem Community Food Assessment (SCFA) was created through the use of a variety of primary and
secondary resources, and with the assistance of Mass in Motion’s technical advisors.
Primary Resources
Restaurant Survey
A restaurant survey was distributed online through the Salem Chamber of Commerce’s e-mail list and received 17
responses from local restaurant owners and managers. This survey mainly asked for information on the use of local
foods and what measures are being taken to prevent food waste.
Emergency Food Provider Survey (EFP)
An emergency food providers’ survey was conducted online and received responses from five of the seven food
pantries serving Salem. This survey collected information on food distribution schedules, types of food provided,
clientele demographics and barriers that emergency food providers face in procuring and distributing healthy foods.
Convenience Store Survey (CSS)
A convenience store survey was conducted at 47 local food retailers. The primary goals of this survey were to
compare costs of staple foods between neighborhood stores, determine how many markets offer a variety fresh foods
and assess the visibility of healthy food options.
Key Informant Interviews
In addition to the surveys, interviews were conducted with representatives from local organizations regarding
the four focus areas of the SCFA: food access, food security, urban agriculture and food waste. These organizations
included the Salem Farmers’ Market, Salem Community Gardens, Farm Direct Coop, Salem Y GreenSpace, Salem
State University, Lifebridge homeless shelter and the local supermarkets.
Resident Focus Groups
Two focus groups were conducted with Salem residents to learn about their observations as well as their own
experiences with accessing healthy, affordable foods in their neighborhoods. The first focus group was a discussion
with members of the Point Neighborhood Association, representing a primarily Hispanic Point neighborhood in
Salem. The second focus group was with residents who regularly use at least one food pantry in Salem.
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
Female Male
10th Grade7th Grade4th Grade1st Grade
Salem Public School Overwieght/Obesity
Percentage
above
Normal
BMI
Table 8
BACKGROUND 12
Resident Food Survey (RFS)
A resident survey was created to evaluate residents’ access to healthy, affordable, culturally appropriate foods.
Information on food preparation, shopping habits, nutrition knowledge, demographics and socioeconomic status
were also collected. The survey was offered both online using SurveyMonkey and through hard copies that were
distributed throughout the city in both Spanish and English. SFPC members were also able to conduct the surveys
with residents at the weekly Salem Farmers’ Market and other community events. The survey received 315 responses.
There are gaps in the RFS. The largest population of respondents are white, female, and at the highest salary
bracket. This can be seen in the neighborhood breakdown of the survey. The wealthier neighborhoods are
overrepresented as compared to the Salem population as a whole. Spanish speaking neighborhoods were
underrepresented. Despite efforts to engage Spanish speakers, very few Spanish surveys were filled out.
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
Salem*Survey $100,000 to $149,999$75,000 to $99,999$50,000 to $74,999$35,000 to $49,999$25,000-34,999$15,000-24,999$10,000-14,999Less than $10,000RFS Salary Breakdown
Percentage
*Based on the ACS Survey- 2008-2012
Table 9
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
Salem Survey WillowsGallows HillDerbyCommonsBridge Street NeckDowntownMcIntiree PointSouth SalemHighland AvenueWitchcraNorth SalemPercentage
RFS Neighborhood Breakdown
Table 10
North
Salem
Mack
Park
Gallows
Hill
Witchcraft Heights
Highland
Ave.
Highland
Ave.
South Salem
ThePoint
Salem Common DerbyStreet
Salem Willows
BridgeSt. Neck
Downtown
Castle Hill
McIntire
0 0.7 1.40.35 Miles
Income Level by Census Tract
and Salem Neighborhood
21967 - 36944
36944 - 56920
56920 - 76779
76779 - 102143
Median Income
Figure 1
BACKGROUND 13
Secondary Resources
The SFPC looked at multiple food assessments from other communities but primarily referenced the Lowell
Community Food Assessment. While Lowell is a much larger city than Salem, both are urban Massachusetts
communities with diverse populations and face similar challenges regarding poverty levels. This assessment was a
valuable resource in conducting the Salem Community Food Assessment.
Two online tools for creating community food assessments were used as resources: What’s Cooking in Your Food
System? A Guide to Community Food Assessment and the USDA Community Food Security Assessment Toolkit.
Other secondary resources used for data collection:
• American Community Survey (ACS)
• U.S. Census
• Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS)
• North Shore Medical Center 2015 Community Health Needs Assessment
• Salem Public School data
0
20
40
60
80
100
Massachusetts*Salem*Survey
WhiteHispanic/
Latino
Black/
African American
Asian
RFS Demographic Breakdown
Percentage
2.4 2.7 5.3 2.7 4.9 8.2
15.6
9.6
90.5
81.2 80.4
*Based on 2010 census
Table 11
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
Massachusetts*Salem*Survey
Female Male
RFS Gender Breakdown
* Based on the 2010 US Census
77.78
53.48 51.64
22.55
46.52 48.36
Percentage
Table 12
FOOD SECURITY
FOOD SECURITY 15
Food Security
What is Food Security?
Community food security is a condition in which all community residents
obtain a safe, culturally acceptable, nutritionally adequate diet through a
sustainable food system that maximizes community self-reliance and social
justice .6
The USDA further defines food security and food insecurity according to different levels:7
• High food security (old label=Food security): no reported indications of food-access problems or limitations
• Marginal food security (old label=Food security): one or two reported indications—typically of anxiety over
food sufficiency or shortage of food in the house. Little or no indication of changes in diets or food intake
• Low food security (old label=Food insecurity without hunger): reports of reduced quality, variety, or
desirability of diet. Little or no indication of reduced food intake
• Very low food security (old label=Food insecurity with hunger): Reports of multiple indications of disrupted
eating patterns and reduced food intake
Overview of Available Resources
SNAP/WIC
There are many resources in Salem for residents who are struggling with food insecurity. Public assistance
programs such as SNAP and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
are the largest safety nets for low-income individuals and families. In October 2015, there were 6,733 active SNAP
cases in Salem, making up 16% of Salem households, compared to 12.51% for all of Massachusetts (based on census
data between 2011-2015).8 The census data also shows that racial and ethnic disparities exist for SNAP users in
Salem, as 11.6.% of White households receive SNAP benefits, compared with 35.55% of Black households and 47.05%
of Hispanic households.8
0
5
10
15
20
MassachusettsSalem
SNAP USAGE*
Percentage
of
Population
* Based on October 2015.
Total SNAP cases in Salem = 6,733
Table 13
Salem SNAP Users by Ethnicity
0
10
20
30
40
50
HispanicBlackWhite
Percentage
11.6%
35.55%
47.05%
Table 14
FOOD SECURITY 16
In 2016, the Salem WIC office had a total caseload
of 917 people (about 2% of the population): 180 were
women, 193 were infants, 544 were children. However,
this does not necessarily mean they were all Salem
residents, as residents from other towns can use the Salem
office, and Salem residents can also use the Peabody
and Lynn offices. Nine Salem retail outlets are listed as
accepting WIC on the Mass.gov website.
Healthy Incentives Program (HIP)
On April 1, 2017, the Massachusetts Healthy Incentives
Program (HIP) began matching SNAP recipients’
purchases of local fruits and vegetables. SNAP users
receive an instant, dollar-for-dollar match credited to
their EBT card on eligible purchases from a participating
farmer at a farmers’ market, farm stand, mobile market or
Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program. HIP can only be earned through participating HIP locations and
using SNAP/EBT terminals that have been programmed to process the new benefit. If a shopper using SNAP spends
$10 on tomatoes at a participating stand, they will automatically be credited $10 (up to a monthly cap). The earned
incentives can be used right away, or saved for a future purchase at any SNAP retailer on any SNAP-eligible foods. The
Salem Farmers’ Market and the Farm Direct Coop CSA are both SNAP retailers and participate in HIP.
Emergency Food Providers
Seven percent of survey respondents reported using an Emergency Food Provider (EFP) in the past year. EFPs
serving Salem provide an invaluable network of support that includes: five food pantries for adult Salem residents,
two in-school food pantries for students, one monthly mobile pantry, two weekend backpack programs for Salem
elementary school and middle school students, and three congregate meal sites.
The Greater Boston Food Bank (GBFB) has compiled data using Feeding America’s annual Map the Meal Gap
Project to estimate the number of meals needed to provide every food insecure individual in Eastern Massachusetts
with three meals per day.9,10 This data is broken down by county and again by city and town. The difference between
the number of meals needed and the number of meals provided by EFPs is called the “Remaining Meal Gap”. Below is
a chart showing that local EFPs are providing 1,001,100 meals annually to Salem residents.
InfantsWomen
WIC Users Salem Office
544
180
193
Total cases : 917
Children
Table 15
Remaining Meal GapMeal Gap (in meals)Total Meals provided
through GBFB and partners
Salem
Beverly
Peabody
Marblehead
Danvers
Swampscott
Lynn
01,001,100839,500
375,400325,800701,200
01,042,700841,500
216,8001600218,400
99,800288,900388,700
139,30019,500158,800
02,030,0001,760,700
Map the Meal Gap
Table 16
FOOD SECURITY 17
While this data shows that EFPs are
able to meet the estimated needs of Salem
residents experiencing food insecurity,
additional data from the GBFB shows
that more than half of these meals (51%
between April 1, 2017 and March 31,
2018) are coming from organizations
outside of Salem. Table 17 shows that
Haven from Hunger in Peabody, MA
provides nearly the same amount of food
to Salem residents as all of the Salem EFPs
combined.
A food insecurity map of Salem shows that none of the food pantries in Salem are located in the neighborhoods
experiencing the highest rates of food insecurity, such as the Point and Castle Hill neighborhoods. Barriers such as
lack of transportation and disability could prevent many residents from accessing these pantries. The Salem Pantry is
currently conducting a needs assessment to evaluate the implementation of a mobile pantry to deliver food directly to
the highest-need areas. Transitioning to a mobile pantry would also allow for more frequent food distribution (they
currently operate monthly due to space constraints) and eliminate the parking challenges of the current location
(there are only nine available spaces at the 211 Bridge Street location).
Pantry Location
Park
Greenspace
MBTA
Commuter Rail
0% -10.3%
10.4% - 12.9%
13% - 14.9%
15% - 16.9%
17% or more
Food Insecurity
by Census Tract
Population Experiencing
Food Insecurity
Data Sources: MAPC. MassGIS. MassDOT.
Census 2010.
Map the Meal Gap, Feeding America.
Greater Boston Food Bank, 2015
May 2018
Figure 2
Meals Percent of Total
Salem Agencies
Total
Map the Meal Gap - Salem Data
Haven From Hunger
Other Agencies Outside of Salem
491,000
459,600
50,600
1,001,100
49%
46%
5%
100%
Table 17
FOOD SECURITY 18
A focus group with local food pantry clientele revealed a desire for healthier options at Salem’s pantries as well as
food appropriate for special diets, such as for those with diabetes. One participant said that while they rely on and
appreciate all of the help and support from the pantries, she often finds herself with an abundance of white rice and
pasta and lacking fresh fruits and vegetables. She stated that while pantries are offering more produce, it is often past
the point of being edible. One pantry suggested that she come earlier in the service period to get the best quality, but
her schedule prevents her from doing so.
Focus group participants expressed concerns for those struggling financially but who are ineligible for SNAP
benefits. Some local pantries require proof of financial status, and lacking a SNAP/EBT card may prevent those in
need from receiving assistance. One pantry requires birth certificates for all dependents, which is problematic for
many who are not in possession of their children’s birth certificates. One focus group participant was told that she
needed to bring birth certificates for each of her five children, which she did not have in her possession, and this
would have cost her $50 in fees to obtain.
In order to better understand the services provided by EFPs in Salem as well as the challenges they face in
providing these services, the SFPC conducted an EFP survey.
EFP Survey Results:
0
10
20
30
40
50
HispanicWhiteBlack
EFP Survey
Racial Breakdown
Percentage
Table 18
3 out of 5
respondents have
seen an increase in
demand in the past
12 months
Table 19
65 plus
18-64
Under 18
22%
45%
33%
EFP Survey
Age Breakdown
Table 20
FOOD SECURITY 19
Emergency Food Provider Assets:
• Sunday is the only day of the week where a
pantry is not available to all Salem residents.
• Congregate meals are available for Salem
residents seven days per week.
• All respondents reported that they never have to
turn anyone away because of a lack of food.
• Two out of five respondents said they usually
have enough food to meet demand; three said
they usually have enough food.
• Three out of five respondents said they always
have produce available; two said they sometimes
have produce.
Emergency Food Provider Deficits:
• Lack of collaboration and consolidation
between pantries (i.e. overlap of food bank
pickups and deliveries)
• No system in place for emergency food
deliveries
• Lack of funding, volunteers, adequate
transportation
• Lack of staff nutritionists (only one respondent
reported having a nutritionist on staff)
• Lack of healthier options such as whole grains
and produce
• Lack of accommodation for special diets (i.e.
diabetic, gluten-free, etc.)
• Inability to consistently provide culturally
appropriate foods
• Restrictive eligibility requirements of some local pantries
• No pantries in areas experiencing highest rates of food insecurity
• Most emergency food coming from orginizations outside of Salem
Pantries:
• Food for the World – operates the first and third Saturday of every month from 10am-noon
• Salem Pantry – operates the last Saturday of every month from 9:30-11:30am; serves 229 people per month
• Salvation Army – pantry open Mon/Wed/Fri 9-11am; serves 350 people per month
• Citizens Inn/Haven from Hunger – – pantry open Mon/Tues/Thurs/Fri 10:30am-2:30pm
• Joseph’s Storehouse – pantry every Saturday from 10am-1pm; serves 750 people per month
• Salem State University – for SSU students; by appointment.
• Salem High School – in-school pantry for students
• North Shore Moving Market – mobile pantry; delivers food monthly to residents in need over the age of 55
years; distributes 100 bags per month
Community Meals:
• Salvation Army – Tues/Thurs 11am; serves an average of 65 lunches per month
• Lifebridge – Lifebridge is a homeless shelter in Salem that serves three meals per day, seven days per week. All
are community meals except for lunches on Tuesdays and Thursdays, which are for residents only. On these
days, Lifebridge coordinates with the Salvation Army. Lifebridge serves an average of 250 meals each day,
mainly from scratch. They are also sensitive to the dietary needs of their clientele.
• Haven from Hunger – dinners served Mon/Tues/Thurs Fri at 4pm HIGHLAND AVENUECANAL STREETBRIDG
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E
T
LORING AVENUE0 0.7 1.40.35 Miles
Salem Pantries
Food for the
World
North Shore
Moving
Market
Salvation
Army
Salem
State
Salem
High School
Joseph’s
Storehouse
Haven
from
Hunger
Salem
Pantry
Figure 3
FOOD SECURITY 20
Salem Public Schools Food & Nutrition Services: Provides the USDA’s National School Lunch Program and
School Breakfast Program. All Salem Public Schools provide one breakfast and one lunch daily to every student at no
charge due to the district’s qualification for Community Eligibility Provision.
• Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) – The CEP allows school districts with high poverty rates to serve
breakfast and lunch at no cost to all students without collecting household applications. Instead, schools that
adopt CEP are reimbursed using a formula based on the percentage of students categorically eligible for free
meals based on their participation in other specific means-tested programs, such as SNAP and TANF. As
of September 2017, all Salem Public Schools are under the CEP and offer free breakfast and lunch to every
student.
• Breakfast in the Classroom (BIC) – BIC helps to increase participation in the School Breakfast Program
while also eliminating the stigma low-income students may face by having to arrive early to school in order to
eat breakfast. With BIC, breakfast becomes available to everyone regardless of income level. Students all eat in
the classroom together after the opening bell, which makes it possible for all children to participate. There are
currently six Salem elementary schools that offer BIC: Carlton Innovation School, Bentley Academy Charter
School, Salem Early Childhood Center, Nathaniel Bowditch School, Horace Mann Laboratory School, and
Bates Elementary School. As of March 2017, all of the schools were meeting the internal goal of reaching 80%
average daily participation (ADP). Prior to BIC, the ADP in these schools ranged from 25% to 45%.
Salem Summer Eats
Salem Summer Eats is part of the USDA’s Summer Food Service Program. In 2017, Salem Summer Eats expanded
to 13 open sites where all children ages 18 and younger can obtain a free meal. Many sites offer breakfast and lunch,
and three sites offered an evening meal. The main challenges facing the current sponsor of the program, the Salem
Public Schools Food & Nutrition Services (FNS), are staffing and transportation constraints that will prevent them
from further expansion. Also, the FNS staff needs adequate time at the beginning and end of the summer to transition
between serving school meals and summer meals. Bringing on an additional sponsor to share in food preparation
and distribution would relieve some of the burden on FNS and allow Salem Summer Eats to add more meal sites and
times, and possibly increase the number of summer service weeks.
Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)
The CACFP is also a government program administered by the USDA. The CACFP reimburses participating
day care operators for healthy meals and snacks served in child and adult day care facilities. The program generally
operates in childcare centers, outside school hours centers, family day care homes, adult day health centers,
emergency shelters for homeless children, and at-risk after-school snack programs. Emergency shelters and at-risk
after-school snack programs can be reimbursed for meals/snacks served to children through the age of 18. Other
childcare facilities are reimbursed for meals/snacks served to children through the age of 12. All meals and snacks
served must meet federal guidelines and be offered at no separate cost to participants. A primary purpose of the
CACFP is to maintain the health of children by enabling facilities to provide nutritious well-balanced meals and
snacks to children while in non-residential childcare settings and to help develop good eating habits in these children
that will serve as a foundation for healthy lifestyles as they grow.
Salem organizations participating in the CACFP include:
• Boys & Girls Club of Greater Salem
• Camp Fire North Shore
• East Point Adult Day Care Center
• For Kids Only After School
• Salem Community Child Care Center
• Stay Well Adult Health Day Center
FOOD SECURITY 21
Backpack 68
Backpack 68 is a Salvation Army program that began at Collins Middle School during the fall of 2016. On average,
17 students were sent home with food every Friday for their households during that school year. In the summer of
2017, eight students at Collins and 15 students at the Boys & Girls Club received food for their families every Friday
for six weeks. Enough food was provided for three breakfasts, two lunches and two dinners. Snacks, bread and fresh
produce were included.
In the fall of 2017 the number increased to over 30 students with room to expand. Backpack 68 is also providing
snacks to the school nurses and counselors at Collins Middle School and Saltonstall School for students who become
hungry during the day.
Salem Backpack Program
The Salem Backpack Program is another weekend nutrition program for Salem elementary school children who are
identified by school staff as chronically hungry. It began in 2012 with ten students at the Carlton Innovation School.
It has since expanded to all seven Salem elementary schools and provides bags of food each Friday during the school
year to over 180 children. The program is funded by the Salem Pantry, its sponsor organization, through grants and
private donations. The food provided is enough for two breakfasts, two lunches, and four snacks, and includes two
low-fat milk-boxes, two juice boxes and fresh fruit.
Nutrition programs for seniors:
Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP)
The SFMNP is a USDA program that awards grants to provide low-income seniors with coupons that can be
exchanged for eligible foods (fruits, vegetables, honey and fresh-cut herbs) at farmers’ markets, roadside stands and
community supported agriculture programs.
North Shore Elder Services (NSES) is the social service agency in Danvers, Massachusetts, that receives and
distributes the coupons provided by the USDA to Salem and four other neighboring communities. The coupons are
valued at $25 and NSES is responsible for determining how many coupons each community will receive. In 2016,
Salem received 90 coupon packets; in 2017, the number increased to 101 packets.
There are two ways to meet the eligibility requirements for the SFMNP:
1. Seniors 60 years and older meeting specific income guidelines
2. Disabled individuals under 60 years who live in low-income housing and receive SNAP benefits
In order to receive their coupon books, eligible participants must call the Salem Council on Aging at a
predetermined date and time each year to be put on a list. They are then instructed as to when they can pick up their
coupons. A waiting list is created once the maximum number of coupons are reserved. Any coupons that are not
picked up will be distributed to those on the waiting list.
Both the Salem Farmers’ Market and the Farm Direct Coop participate in the SFMNP. One perceived barrier of
the SFMNP is the difficulty some seniors may face in accessing the Salem Farmers’ Market due to lack of parking. To
address this issue, the Council on Aging has begun a pilot program that provides shuttle transportation for seniors
from their homes to the Salem Farmers’ Market. This program will continue through at least July 1, 2019 pending
approval of the fiscal year 2019 budget.
COMMUNITY AGRICULTURE
COMMUNITY AGRICULTURE 23
Community Agriculture
What is Community Agriculture?
Community agriculture is the practice of cultivating, processing and/
or distributing food within an urban setting . Due to space limitations,
community agriculture can be very creative, such as rooftop gardening in
raised beds or vertical gardening in the small spaces between buildings .
Community agriculture can also include raising livestock, such as backyard
chicken coops, and bee-keeping . Space is the primary barrier for community
agriculture, but city pollutants and limited natural lighting can also pose
challenges for city gardeners .
Why is community agriculture important to a community?
Not only can community agriculture be a source of nutritious and affordable foods for city dwellers, but research
has shown that community gardens and urban green space can have a positive psychological and physiological impact
on residents by promoting recreation and preventing crime, especially in under-served neighborhoods. Community
agriculture also has environmental benefits such as protecting soil fertility and stability, preventing excessive runoff,
reducing CO2 emissions, increasing carbon sequestration, and reducing the incidence and severity of natural disasters
such as floods.
The benefits of eating locally grown foods:
• Local foods are fresher. Fruits and vegetables begin to lose nutrients as soon as they are picked. Buying local
produce cuts down travel time from farm to table.
• Local foods are seasonal. Eating seasonally means avoiding “artificial ripening” with gases or eating a bland
version of a fruit or vegetable that’s been shipped thousands of miles. Eating seasonally results in the most
delicious and nutrient-dense produce.
• Local foods are better for the environment. Some foods are shipped thousands of miles; that is a big carbon
footprint that could be avoided by purchasing local and seasonal foods.
• Local foods preserve green space and farmland. Buying foods grown and raised closer to where you live helps
maintain farmland and green space in your area.
• Local foods promote food safety. Less distance between your food’s source and your kitchen table leaves less of
a chance of contamination.
• Local foods promote variety. Local foods create a greater variety of foods. Farmers who run CSA programs,
sell at farmers’ markets, and provide food to local restaurants have the demand and the economic support for
raising more types of produce and livestock.
• Local foods support your local economy. Money spent locally stays local. Purchasing locally builds your local
economy instead of increasing the earnings of a corporation in another city, state, or country.
• Local foods create community. Do you ever find yourself spending much of your time at the farmers’ market
chatting and socializing in addition to purchasing your produce? Getting to know your farmer, cheese
purveyor, fishmonger, butcher, workers at your local co-op, etc., creates a sense of community.
Adapted from: https://www.washington.edu/wholeu/2016/04/29/the-benefits-of-eating-locally-grown-foods/
Data from the 2015 BRFSS shows that Salem has one of the lowest estimated fruit and vegetable intakes of
reporting Massachusetts communities. The survey used a quintile scale of one to five, with one being the lowest
reported intake. Of the seven reporting Essex County towns and cities, Salem, Lynn and Lawrence all scored one,
with Rockport being the only community to score a five.5 Fifty-five percent of the Resident Food Survey (RFS)
respondents reported that fruits and vegetables are difficult to find near their homes. Only 12% of respondents said
they are getting more than five servings of fruits and vegetables per day, the amount recommended by the Dietary
Guidelines for Americans. While 40% of respondents said they grow some of their own foods, 60% of non-growers
would be interested in growing foods.
COMMUNITY AGRICULTURE 24
Resident Food Survey responses related to community agriculture:
The survey shows that many residents are interested in growing their own food, if they are not already. The
hardest food to find for over 50% of the survey respondents was fruits and vegetables. The survey shows that the
majority of the respondents are not eating enough fruits and vegetables every day. Community agriculture allows for
inexpensive, convenient access to fresh fruits and vegetables.
Participation in a community garden may have a positive impact on fruit
and vegetable intake. A 2008 study showed adults (n=766) participating
in or living with a participant in a community garden were 3.5 times more
likely to consume fruits and vegetables at least five times daily than those
who did not.11
RFS-Percentage of Respondents Who Grow Their Own Food
No
Yes
39.4%60.6%
Table 21
RFS-Interest in Growing Food if They Do Not Already .
Not Interested
Interested
60.8%
39.2%
Table 22
RFS-Most Difficult Foods to Find Near Home
Percentage
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
Foods native to my culture Dairy productsWhole grainsLean meats or proteinsFruits and/or vegetables Table 23
RFS-Daily Servings of Fruits and Vegetables
5 Plus
5
4
3
2
1
0
1.6%
11.18%
19.81%
21.73%
16.29%
16.93%
12.46%
Table 24
COMMUNITY AGRICULTURE 25
Overview of Available Resources
Salem Farmers’ Market
The Salem Farmers’ Market (SFM) is a tradition that
dates back to 1634. By 1930, more than 40 vendors sold
goods in collapsible wooden stalls and an estimated
10,000 people visited the market on a single Saturday.
In the early 1970s the market ended and the Salem
Redevelopment Authority redesigned the square into
what we now know as Derby Square. The SFM was
resurrected in 2009 at the Derby Square site. There were
25 vendors that year and the SFM has since grown to 35
vendors in 2017. The main reason for the increase is that
more rotating vendors come on alternating weeks or for
only part of the season. The actual size of the market has
grown minimally due to the commitment of the SFM to
remain at Derby Square.
The SFM accepts SNAP and began participating in
the HIP program for the 2017 season. SNAP participants
must go to the Market Manager’s booth and receive
tokens to use for SNAP purchases. For HIP, it is up to the
individual farmers to agree to participate, obtain the free
hardware and train their staff to offer it at their stand. HIP
would be in addition to, not instead of, the usual SNAP
benefit program. The Market Manager will still manage
the tokens and reimbursement process for all other
SNAP-eligible items, or if a shopper has gone over their
monthly limit.
The SFM had three vendors sign up for the HIP
program for the 2017 season: Gibney Gardens, Wally’s
Vegetables and Long Hill Orchard. The process of
actually signing up and receiving the equipment has
proven difficult, with three different parties involved in
payment processing and equipment approval, and a lot of
information and paperwork for the vendor.
There was a decrease in SNAP sales and users in 2016,
possibly due to equipment problems. While 2017’s sales
were slightly less than 2016, the numbers aren’t capturing
any of the HIP sales. With HIP, the numbers are likely at
least on par with 2014 and 2015 if not more.
Farm Direct Coop CSA
The Farm Direct Coop (FDC) is a multi-farm cooperative that has been in operation for over 20 years. With nearly
800 members in Marblehead, Melrose and Salem, the FDC works with over 60 farms, dairies and local vendors.
The regular season runs for 20 weeks from June through October with an extended season option that includes a
November and December share. The annual membership fee is currently $65 with a variety of share options. A small
vegetable share is $240 per season, and a large vegetable share is $360.
The philosophy of the FDC is that healthy food should be available to all and not just a privilege of the well-to-do.
Financial aid is available to members who qualify. There is also a Community Aid fund that is funded by fellow coop
members to help make local, organic food available to those experiencing financial hardship. Membership fees may
0 0.7 1.40.35 Miles
School
Community
Organizatonal
Garden Type
Community Agriculture Locations
Figure 4
0
50
100
150
200
2017201620152014
$4000*
$3640*
$2400*$2800*
* Total Dollar Amount of EBT
Farmers’ Market SNAP Usage
Transactions
Table 25
COMMUNITY AGRICULTURE 26
be earned by working seven hours at the depot (two hours of requested volunteer time, and five hours for the $65
fee) helping with delivery of shares, or other volunteer efforts like writing newsletter articles/researching recipes, or
contributing to website content.
The FDC accepts SNAP benefits and took part in the HIP program during the 2017 season. On average, the FDC
has around 10 to 12 SNAP participants as members, which they expect to increase due to HIP. Recipes are provided
in their weekly newsletters and on their blog, but they feel that cooking demonstrations would be more beneficial for
their SNAP/HIP users.
CSA Price List - 2017
• Annual Membership - $65
• Small Vegetable - $240
• Large Vegetable- $360
• Small Fruit - $165
• Large Fruit - $230
• November Share - $75
• Cook’s Share - $90
• Local Cheese Shares - $90 - $140
• December Share - $85
• Bread Share- $90
• Egg Share - $125
• Flower Share - $100
• Mushroom Share - $28.50 per Six-Week Series
• Home Delivery (June through October) - $80
• Voluntary - Volunteer Opt-Out Fee - $35
Salem Community Gardens
Salem has a thriving community garden organization. Salem Community Gardens (SCG) operates as a nonprofit
and maintains four gardens in different Salem neighborhoods: Palmer Cove Park in the Point neighborhood, Mack
Park, Pickman Park and Splaine Park. There are a total of 400 plots available to rent for a fee of $30 per year. Palmer
Cove Park typically has a waiting list, with the other three gardens operating at close to capacity. Each year about 90%
of SCG members are returning gardeners.
The results of the RFS show that only seven percent of respondents participate in a community garden. Of the 93%
of non-participants, 60% would be interested in community gardening, with 40% saying they are not very interested
or not interested at all.
The SCG requires that only organic pesticides are used. Gardeners are encouraged to use organic seeds, though it is
not a requirement. Almost all of the garden plots are used for food, though gardeners are also encouraged to include
flowers to attract pollinators. Each garden has a compost bin for garden refuse. Black Earth, a local composting
company, picks up the composting materials each week for a fee.
Each garden also has several “donation plots” which are maintained by volunteer gardeners. Harvests from these
plots are donated weekly to Healing Abuse, Working for Change (HAWC), which is located in Salem. Many gardeners
will also donate their crops when they are away on vacation.
The SCG is completely volunteer-run and relies solely on registration fees and member donations to maintain
the gardens. While it is self-sustaining, it did receive funding through a recent Community Preservation Act grant
that allowed them to purchase fencing and a shed at one of the gardens. The main challenge facing the SCG is late
renewals from returning gardeners. Registration begins in January, and if current members do not communicate
whether they are returning, their spot may not become available for other potential gardeners.
Theft and vandalism are also concerns at the gardens. It is primarily food that is stolen from garden plots, though
recently there has been an increase in the theft of gardening tools.
There are currently no plans to expand the SCG. While they have a committed group of volunteers, the amount of
work and funding required to create another community garden is prohibitive.
RFS-Percentage of Community Garden Users
No
Yes
92.7%
7.3%
Table 26
RFS-Percentage of respondents who would want a
community garden plot, if they did not already have one .
No
Yes
50%50%
Table 27
COMMUNITY AGRICULTURE 27
Salem Y GreenSpace
Salem Y GreenSpace is a public garden run by Salem teens and community volunteers with the support of the
Salem YMCA, the City of Salem, and donors. Unlike most community gardens, there is no membership fee and the
beds aren’t designated to individuals. Teens and volunteers maintain the garden and the produce grown is given away
for free to the community at a weekly farmers’ market located at the garden. The goal of GreenSpace is to provide a
space that brings people together, educates, and helps to foster community.
Located in a former batting cage at Palmer Cove Park in the Point neighborhood, the GreenSpace gardeners grow
produce in raised beds built high enough to be accessible for gardeners of all ages. GreenSpace also composts all of
their organic waste that they produce in compost bins located at the garden. The site also has a shed, a meeting room,
and a greenhouse, but the space still maintains the feel of its previous life as evidenced by 12-foot fences and home
plate!
In 2017, GreenSpace was able to employee eight teens to work in the garden. Additional volunteers included:
• 35 Salem State University volunteers (including students and faculty)
• 50 teen volunteers
• 25 elementary-school volunteers
• 50 adult volunteers
During the 2017 growing season, GreenSpace gave away over 600 bags of produce to the community. These bags
included an estimated:
• 150 squash
• 125 eggplant
• 350+ peppers (several varieties)
• 800+ tomatoes
• 1000+ carrots
• 200 beets
• 300 garlic bulbs
• 300+ cucumbers
• 300+ potatoes
Other items grown: fennel, sage, cilantro, chives, garlic, hops, onions, scallions, three varieties of kale, chard, peas,
leeks, radishes, four varieties of lettuce, spinach, strawberries, raspberries, peaches and mint
Salem Public School Gardens
Less than half of U.S. children meet the recommended intake of fruits and vegetables outlined by the Dietary
Guidelines for Americans. A recent literature review of school gardening programs found that not only do these
programs increase children’s willingness to try fruits and vegetables, but 10 of the 14 articles reviewed also showed an
increase in overall fruit and vegetable intake.12
While every Salem public school has a garden, there is no system currently in place for maintenance and there are
inconsistencies from school to school. The Food & Nutrition Services department is working towards integrating the
school cafeterias and school gardens into the curriculum. Sustainable policy is needed for maintenance during the
summer months.
Freight Farm
In the spring of 2016, Salem High School was the recipient of the school district’s first Freight Farm: a refurbished
freight car housing a fully sustainable hydroponic garden. A gift from the Pabich family of Salem, the farm is equal
to one acre of land and uses about 10 gallons of water each week. The Freight Farm is overseen by science teacher
Graeme Marcoux, who maintains the farm with a team of students.
COMMUNITY AGRICULTURE 28
Maitland Mountain Farm
Maitland Mountain Farm is the only commercial farm in Salem, sitting on a 2.34-acre lot off of Loring Avenue.
Their main product is gourmet pickles, which are sold at restaurants and retailers throughout New England and New
York. They also sell other types of produce to local restaurants. In order to maintain processing agreements with
produce distributors, Maitland Mountain Farm will need to build a structure on their property that will allow them to
process produce on-site.
Community Agriculture Assets:
• School gardens at every school
• Active public garden usage
• Salem Y GreenSpace
• Maitland Mountain Farm
• Salem Farmers’ Market
• Farm Direct Coop
Community Agriculture Deficits:
• Lack of gardening education in school curriculum
• Lack of maintenance for school gardens during summer months
• Lack of general education on value of locally grown produce
• Lack of cooking education for locally grown produce
• Lack of volunteers to expand Salem Community Gardens
• Lack of personnel at the SFM to counsel customers on how to use SNAP and HIP at the market
• Prohibitive zoning regulations for agriculture
• Lack of funding and volunteers to expand Salem Community Gardens
FOOD ACCESS
FOOD ACCESS 30
Food Access
What is Food Access?
Consumer choices about food spending and diet are likely to be influenced
by the accessibility and affordability of food retailers: travel time to shopping,
availability of healthy foods, and food prices . Some people, especially
those with low incomes, may face greater barriers in accessing healthy and
affordable foods .
This assessment explores how people access food, including stores, pantries and other sources. The location,
quality and other aspects of Salem stores are investigated. Various sources were used to collect data to understand
how people move in Salem. These sources include Global Information Systems (GIS) data, the U.S. Census, and data
collected by the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority (MBTA). Data was also collected from surveys created for this
assessment, including the Resident Food Survey (RFS) and Convenience Store Survey (CSS). An effort was made to
understand where people shop, how they get there, and if healthy, affordable food is available for all people in Salem.
According to the 2010 census, the majority of Salem’s
residents commute by car (78%), slightly lower than the
Massachusetts average (82%).1 In the RFS, Salem residents
stated they are more reliant on cars to get to food sources
(81%). There can be many factors for this reliance on
cars. The first is that it is much easier to transport large
amounts of groceries in a car than on foot, on a bike or by
public transportation. The second factor is that the stores
with a larger selection of quality or affordable foods are in
areas not easily accessible by pedestrians, cyclists and those
using public transportation. A third potential factor is that
consumers may stock up on groceries. In order to make less
frequent trips to stores, they require cars to transport larger
amounts of groceries. This also means that consumers are
more reliant on shelf-stable foods, which can often be a less
healthy alternative to fresh foods.
0
20
40
60
80
100
WalkBikeCarPublic
TransportationPercentage Massachusetts*Salem*
* Based on mode of transportation from the American Community Survey (ACS) 2015
Mode of Transportation to Work
12 10
72
79
0.6 0.6
6 5
Table 28
0
10
20
30
40
50
< 5 5-10 11-20 21-30 31-45 45 <
Percentage
Minutes
RFS-Time to Food Stores
13.7%
43.1%
33.6%
6.1%
1.9%1.6%
Table 29
0
20
40
60
80
100
OtherBikeTaxiBusFriend
Drives
Drive
Myself
Walk
8.3%
80.9%
3.8%1.3%0.96%0.32%4.46%
RFS-Mode of Transport to Food Stores
Percentage
Table 30
FOOD ACCESS 31
Food Stores
To understand the retail food environment, Mass in Motion Salem conducted a detailed Convenience Store
Survey (CSS) of each food store in Salem. At the time of writing this assessment, there were 47 food stores in Salem,
including Stop & Shop in Peabody. The CSS stores include grocery stores, bodegas, convenience stores, discount and
drug stores. The survey looked into several factors, including:
• Availability and price of produce and staples
• Quality of produce
• Cleanliness of interior and exterior of the store
• Signage (what type, quality of appearance and language)
• Availability of cigarettes and alcohol
• Type of food prominently placed in the front of the store
• Store access (car and bike parking, crosswalks and sidewalks)
• Availability of SNAP, WIC and other discounts
A large focus of this assessment was on store locations, availability, quality and price of essential food items. A
total count of fruits and vegetables was taken at each store. Of the 47 stores, 32 had no fruits or vegetables, five had
between three and nine, and nine stores had more than 10 fruits and vegetables. A more in-depth analysis was done
on stores that had 10 or more fruits and vegetables. Stores were then selected that had the following items: apples,
oranges, bananas, eggs, chicken, tuna, canned beans, tomatoes, potatoes, onions, wheat bread, white bread, brown
rice, white rice, oatmeal, skim milk, and whole milk.
These items are common staples available at every one of the larger stores. Prices were acquired for all of the above
foods, based on the same size and at the lowest non-sale prices. The price of each item was added to create a total.
This total was then averaged against the other stores. The chart below compares the costs for each store containing 10
or more fruits and vegetables. Since the analysis focuses on the least expensive available foods, the local stores were
kept anonymous. This survey does not differentiate between types of foods (organic, non-organic), rent costs, or costs
of goods for the store owner.
The quality of produce was also analyzed at each location. Each store was rated as: very fresh, slightly wilted, nearly
spoiled, or visibly spoiled. Please note that these ratings are subjective to the person doing the survey. Of the nine
larger stores, none had a rating of visibly spoiled. Five stores were classified as very fresh, two were slightly wilted and
two were categorized as nearly spoiled.
Supermarket
Large Market
Dollar Store
Drug Store
Convenience Store
21
2
7
1
5
Salem Stores by Type
Table 31
Name Total Cost of All
Selected Foods
Market Basket $10.91
Stop & Shop Peabody $12.15
Shaw's $26.99
Lorem ipsum
Local 1 $28.73
Crosby's Marketplace $33.65
Local 2 $35.63
Local 3 $40.45
Local 4 $43.69
Local 5 $90.28
CSS Large Store Cost Breakdown
Table 32
FOOD ACCESS 32
Walkability
To further understand how people get to healthy
food options, a walk inquiry occurred. The network
analyst tool in ArcGIS software was used to calculate
a 15-minute walk buffer from each store that offered
10 or more fruits and vegetables. The network analyst
tool uses the centerlines of the streets, as well as paths
in public parks, to create an accurate representation of
how people walk. It takes into consideration objects that
would impede walking, including buildings, water, and
rail lines. The walk speed was calculated at the typical
average speed of an adult, 3 mph. The buffer from each
store was combined to show the total area of Salem
within a 15-minute walk of a store offering healthy food
options. The total area of the new combined buffer was
merged with data from the 2010 census. Based on this
data, 30,529 people live within the 15-minute buffer area,
making up 68% of the population.
0 0.7 1.4 Miles0.35
Salem Food StoresAvailability of Fruits and Vegetables
0
1-3
4-9
10 Plus
Number of
Vegetables
Figure 5
0 0 .5 10 .25 Miles
Large Food Stores
Vegetable Quality
Very Fresh
Slightly Wilted
Nearly Spoiled
Salem Food Stores
Quality of Produce
Figure 6
Stop & Shop
Shaw's
Crosby's
Tropicana
Los Amigos
Milk & Honey
Market Basket
Steve's Market
Congress Market
0 0.7 1.40.35 Miles
Salem Food Stores
Walk Area
Key
15 minute
walk buer
Stores
10 plus fruits and
vegetables
Figure 7
FOOD ACCESS 33
The RFS illustrates a good portrait of where people are doing the majority of their shopping. Three-hundred-
and-nine people responded with their store preference. Several responded with multiple stores, bringing the total
of stores up to 337. Two of the respondents stated that they get delivery through Peapod. Forty-three percent of the
respondents chose Market Basket Salem. Another 40% said that they shop in stores outside of Salem. All of the stores
combined in Salem, other than Market Basket, totaled 14% of the responses
Three stores emerged as the primary destinations for Salem residents: Market Basket Salem, Shaw’s and Stop &
Shop Peabody. This does not include stores that are outside
a 15-minute walk from Salem. This eliminates both Market
Basket Danvers and Whole Foods Swampscott, which are
the second and fourth most visited stores, respectively.
Understanding where the majority of Salem residents shop,
another 15-minute walk time buffer was created for Market
Basket, Shaw’s and Stop & Shop. Nine-thousand-one-hundred
and-one people are within walking distance of these stores, 20%
of the total population.
The buffer areas of the three most used stores in Salem are
located in some of the least-populated areas in the city. The
areas contain a population density of four
people to the acre. The average for the city of
Salem is slightly above seven people per acre.
The 15-minute walk area covered by the
other six large stores constitutes about 15.4
people to an acre of land. This data shows
that the stores with the most affordable costs,
largest selection, and most consistent quality
are largely only accessible by car or public
transportation.
68% of Salem residents live
within a 15-minute walk of a
store that carries 10 or more
fruits and vegetables .
20% of Salem residents live
within a 15-minute walk of
the 3 most visited and least
expensive grocery stores .
Salem
Market Basket Salem Steve's Quality Market Crosby's Market Shaw's Tropicana Market
146 15 16 22 1
Total in Salem 200
Outside Salem
Stop & Shop Peabody Market Basket Danvers Whole Foods Swampscott Stop & Shop Beverly Trader Joe's Peabody Stop & Shop Swampscott Other
27 40 25 9 15 16 3
Total outside Salem 135
Delivery
Peapod (delivery)
2
RFS Store Location Responses Table 33
Total Salem Market Basket, Shaw’s and
Stop & Shop
Other 7 Major Salem
Stores
Population Density of Walking Areas for Major Salem Food Stores
* Each square represents 1 acre of land
15 .4 people per acre4 people per acre7 people per acre
Table 34
FOOD ACCESS 34
Transit Options
Public Transportation
The majority of the food stores in Salem are located within a short walk from an MBTA bus station. However, the
buses are often difficult to access because of large gaps in service and availability. The MBTA offers commuter rail
service from Salem to Boston, as well as five bus lines within Salem. The commuter rail is a relatively quick and easy
way for people to commute from Salem to Boston, but it does not make any stops in Salem, other than Salem station.
The bus lines in Salem largely run in a North/South direction along major corridors, excluding large portions of the
city. All of the bus lines—450, 451, 455, 459 and 465—run to and from Salem station.
The table below shows a breakdown of the buses in Salem with the average time between buses and total time to
major locations, including Market Basket and Boston. The most frequent and busiest bus is the 455, which runs on
an average of 40 minutes between buses during the week. The number fluctuates during peak hours, coming every
20 minutes. The 455 stops near both Market Basket and Shaw’s. On average, it takes about nine minutes on the 455
to go from Salem station to Market Basket. The second busiest line is the 450, which goes to Haymarket in Boston,
and stops near Market Basket and Shaw’s. The weekday average is 48 minutes between buses, and jumps up to 67
minutes on weekends. The 459 bus stops near several options for healthy food. However, it runs very infrequently
and does not run on the weekends. The 465 bus will drop riders near Stop & Shop in Peabody. This line is also very
inconsistent and does not run very often, with a weekday average wait between buses of an hour, and two hours on
the weekend. The 465 does not stop near Stop & Shop after 4:44 p.m. during the week. Although there are public
transportation options, they can be extremely time consuming and difficult to rely on for food shopping.
0 0.7 1.40.35 Miles
Legend
MBTA Bus Route
MBTA Commuter Rail
Salem Station
30 Busiest Bus Stops
Salem TransportationFood Stores
Zipcar
Zagster
Large Stores
Figure 8
Total Buses - Weekday
Bus Line Weekday In Weekday Out
450 24 21
451 7 8
455 22 18
459 11 12
465 13 12
Total Buses - Weekend
Bus Line Saturday In Saturday Out Sunday In Sunday Out
450 17 15 16 16
451 0 0 0 0
455 30 27 18 15
459 0 0 0 0
465 6 6 0 0
Wait times (minutes)
Bus Destinations
Bus Line Weekday
Average
Weekend
Average
Average Time To ...
450 47.5 64 Haymarket/ 57 Wonderland/ 39 Market Basket/9
451 134 No Weekend Cummings/42
455 52 43 Wonderland/57
459 61 No Weekend Airport/71
465 62 120 (No Sunday)Liberty Tree Mall/36
450 - Salem Station(to = out)-Haymarket (to = in) (weekday)/ Wonderland (weekend)
451 - Salem Station(to=in) - Cummings Center (to = out)
455 - Salem Station(to = out) - Wonderland (to = in)
459 - Salem Station (to=out) - Airport (to= in)
465 - Salem Station (to = in) - Danvers Sq (via Peabody Sq and Malls)
Table 35
FOOD ACCESS 35
Zagster and Zipcar
Salem has a bike share (Zagster) and a car share (Zipcar) available. Zagster started in Salem in 2017 and provides
an inexpensive alternative for people who do not own a car. At the time of writing this assessment there are six
Zagster locations with 30 bikes. There are plans to increase the total amount of locations to up to 20 in the next
few years. Each bike has a basket on the front, allowing for small trips to the grocery store. These bikes are mostly
currently situated downtown. However, the current infrastructure makes it very difficult to bike to larger, less
expensive stores.
Zipcar is another inexpensive alternative for those who do not own cars. The cars can be rented hourly at a cost of
between $8.99 and $12.99 per hour, including gas and insurance. As of 2017, there were six Zipcar locations in Salem.
While both Zagster and Zipcar can be convenient options for people who do not own cars, they may not be
affordable for all residents. Also, the car and bike locations are mostly downtown, making access difficult for a large
part of the population.
Accessibility
In the CSS, an investigation was done on each store related to access. The survey focused on sidewalks, crosswalks,
and parking. A more in-depth investigation needs to be done around each store to make sure that they adhere to the
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards.
Sidewalks and Crosswalks
The CSS survey asked for the location of sidewalks
and crosswalks around each store. Sidewalks were
selected from three categories: well-maintained
sidewalks leading up to the store; sidewalks around
the store, but not leading up to the store; and no
sidewalks around the store. The majority of the
stores (25) had well-maintained sidewalks, while
three stores had no sidewalk near the store.
Parking
Parking around stores was evaluated for both cars and bikes.
Car parking was split into four categories: plenty of parking,
limited parking available (most spots in use), street parking
and no parking. The majority of stores had plenty of parking.
Eleven of the stores relied on street parking. The majority of
these stores did have available parking within a block of the
store. Two stores had no parking at all.
The survey looked at two criteria for bikes: availability of bike
parking, and whether bikes were locked to objects other than a
bike rack. Only two of the stores, Walgreens and the seasonal
farmers’ market, had bike racks available. However, 10 of the 47
stores had a bike locked to a sign near the store.
Salem Stores
Condition of Sidewalks
No sidewalk
Around store,
but not leading to store
Well-maintained
4
25
18
Table 37
Salem Stores
Parking Availability
1 store oered bike parking.
12 bikes were locked to sign posts or other structures within a
block of a store.
No Parking Street Parking Limited Parking Plenty Parking
Table 36
FOOD ACCESS 36
Signage and Advertising
Food choices are often guided by cost, proximity, and prevalence of foods. Companies will invest large sums of
money and effort on product placement and advertising. In the CSS, each store was analyzed to better understand
what is prioritized in advertisements and where products are placed. Three areas were focused on: exterior signage,
products available upon entrance of the store, and signs indicating the acceptance of public assistance or discounts.
Aesthetics of stores can also play a large role in who chooses to shop in a store.
Exterior Advertising
Of the 47 stores in Salem, 40 have some sort of exterior
advertising. The stores were rated in four categories: updated,
clear and visible signage; older but visible signage; small, not
very visible signage; and no visible signage. The majority
of the stores had updated and clear signs. However, there
were several stores that were cluttered with old, worn-out
advertisements, as well as dirty or ripped awnings. None of
the stores had small, not visible signage.
The signs were put into seven categories: food specials
or sales, soda, sports or energy drinks, beer or alcohol,
lottery, generic brands and fresh produce. The largest
product advertised was lottery, followed by soda. Lottery
signs were found in 22 stores. Produce was the least
advertised, with only four stores. Eight stores advertised
beer or alcohol, equaling the total amount of food stores
that sell alcohol in Salem. All of the stores with signs
advertised in English. Four stores had both English and
Spanish advertisements.
The survey also evaluated the availability of signs for use
of public assistance, like SNAP and WIC, as well as senior
discounts, checks, coupons and store discount cards. The
majority of stores did not advertise any of these items. Sixteen
stores advertised accepting SNAP on the exterior of the store.
To put that number into context, every one of the 47 stores
accepts SNAP. Five stores advertised WIC, out of the nine
stores that accept WIC. No stores advertised senior discounts
or acceptance of coupons.
No Signs
Older
Updated
Salem Stores
Outdoor Sign Appearance
20
10
17
Table 38
0
5
10
15
20
25
ProduceGeneric BrandsLotteryAlcoholSports/Energy DrinksSodaFood SpecialsSalem Stores
Outdoor Signage
Based on 37 stores with store-front signage
All 37 with signs in English,
4 with both Spanish and English
Table 39
Salem Stores
Public Assistance and Discount Signage
0 Stores had signs showing senior discounts or coupon oers.
None
Discount Card
Checks
WIC
SNAP
27
16
5
Table 40
FOOD ACCESS 37
Product Placement
The next area analyzed on the CSS was the
most prominent foods available at the entrance
of the store. Large companies have flooded the
food market with money and advertisements.
Unfortunately, many of those companies offer
products that are processed and full of sugar and
salt. Many stores survive on paper-thin margins.
This requires stores to focus on products that have
a history of positive sales.
Companies such as Coca-Cola, Pepsi and
Frito-Lay send salesmen whose primary goal is
establishing first position of their product in the
front of the store. These large companies often
offer money or discounts in exchange for prime
product placement. Large companies’ control
over product placement is clearly evident in
Salem’s stores. Store owners also rely on the larger companies to provide equipment, such as refrigeration, racks and
promotional material. Produce distributors do not have the same presence in these stores.
The CSS investigated the prominent foods at the front of each store. The survey focused on the following items:
fruits and vegetables, soda and sports drinks, juice, snacks (chips and candy), baked goods, bread, alcohol and
tobacco. The overwhelming majority of stores had soda and unhealthy snacks as the most prominently placed food
options. Most of the bodegas that offered fruits and vegetables did have them displayed at the front of the store, next
to unhealthy options. Both Shaw’s and Stop & Shop have doors opening into the produce section. However, each
has a large area at the front of the store for promotional and sale items. These are usually dominated by unhealthy
options. Market Basket’s produce section is in the opposite corner of the store from one of the entrances.
Appearance
Each store was rated in both exterior and interior cleanliness. The stores were rated between 1 and 3, with 1 being
very clean and 3 representing lots of trash and debris. These ratings are based on the survey respondents’ initial view
of each store. Two out of the 47 stores had lots of litter and debris outside of the store. However, zero of the stores
were rated 3 for interior cleanliness. The majority of the stores were rated as very clean for both the exterior and
interior.
Salem Stores
Prominently Displayed in Front of Store
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
TobaccoBaked GoodsAlcoholBreadSnacksJuiceSodaFruits and VegTable 41
Exterior Cleanliness Interior Cleanliness
3-Lots of Litter2-Small Amount of Litter1-Very Clean
Salem Stores
23 23 2422
2
Table 42
FOOD ACCESS 38
Emergency Food
Salem has four food pantries within the city limits, two additional pantries at Salem State University and Salem
High School, and one mobile pantry for seniors and those with disabilities. Haven from Hunger is a pantry and soup
kitchen located in Peabody, but is frequently used by Salem residents.
A 15-minute walk analysis was done on each of the locations within Salem. The area covered within a 15-minute
walk of emergency food locations includes an estimate of 36,189 people, 85% of Salem’s population. The majority of
low-income residents are located within a 15-minute walk of a pantry. However, the area near Salem State University
has a substantial low-income population that does not have access to a pantry within a reasonable walking distance.
The university does offer a pantry for students, but it cannot support local residents as well.
SNAP
In 2015, the USDA conducted a survey called the National Household Food Acquisition and Purchase Survey
(FoodAPS).12 The survey collected information from 4,826 households to understand food purchases and
acquisitions. The survey collected data from a wide variety of economic classes. According to the FoodAPS, 88%
of Americans surveyed drive their own car to the grocery store. However, the number drops to 68% of households
receiving SNAP benefits. Nineteen percent of SNAP recipients said that their primary means of transportation to
stores is catching a ride with someone else. Alternatively, 95% of people who are not eligible to receive SNAP benefits
(above the threshold) drive to grocery stores in their own cars. The FoodAPS survey found that the average person
would drive 3.79 miles to their store of choice. On average, the closest store to survey participants was 2.14 miles
away.
Salem Pantry
Lifebridge
Haven from
Hunger
The Salvation Army
Joseph's Storehouse
Spanish Free Methodist Church
The North Shore Moving Market
0 0.7 1.40.35 Miles
Legend
Walk Area
Median Income
21967 - 36944
36944 - 56920
56920 - 76779
76779 - 102143
102143 - 156154
Salem Emergency Food
Walk Area with Median Income
Figure 10
0 0.7 1.40.35 Miles
Legend
MBTA Bus Route
MBTA Commuter Rail
Salem Depot
30 Busiest Bus Stops
Salem Emergency FoodTransportation
Emergency Food
Figure 11
FOOD ACCESS 39
In 2015, the U.S. Census showed that there were 3,194 total households that used SNAP benefits within the past 12
months within Salem.8 Of the 3,194 households, 2,833 (89%) were within a 15-minute walk of a store that carries 10
or more fruits and vegetables. When looking at the largest, least expensive stores, the number of SNAP households
within a 15-minute walk drops to 1,147 (36%).
Shuttles
There are several options for free shuttles, including the NSMC shuttle bus, Salem State University’s Viking Shuttle,
Shetland Park and the Salem Trolley. The Salem Trolley is largely for tourists, but they do offer free rides for Salem
residents. None of these shuttles go to food stores.
The City of Salem is currently doing a study to see if a city-wide shuttle is feasible. The feasibility study was funded
by a grant awarded to the Council on Aging.
89% of SNAP users in Salem
live within a 15-minute walk
of a store that carries 10 or
more fruits and vegetables .
36% of SNAP users in Salem
live within a 15-minute walk
of the 3 most visited and
least expensive grocery
stores .
0 0.7 1.40.35 Miles
Legend
Large Food Store
1Randomized Dot =
1 Person
SNAP User Density
Figure 12
FOOD ACCESS 40
Council on Aging
The Council on Aging (COA) offers free shuttles for
Salem residents over 60 years old. The shuttle is a call
service that does not run on a fixed route or schedule.
However, the shuttle does make daily stops at various
food stores in Salem. See the schedule below.
The COA vans accounted for 16,553 rides last
year. 3,639 of the rides were to stores, including food
shopping. The vans moved 317 seniors in 2017. The
chart below shows the total trips to food stores between
July 2017 and November 2017. The store most visited
by COA vans was Market Basket at around 80 trips a
month.
The shuttle made very few stops at emergency food
locations. Over the six months, they made three stops,
one at Lifebridge and two at the Salvation Army.
The COA has had a hard time maintaining the fleet of vans. At time of writing, they have four vans that are old and
in constant need of repairs. Another issue related to food stores: riders are only allowed two bags of groceries in the
van due to lack of space.
Meals on Wheels
North Shore Elder Services in Danvers, Massachusetts, operates the local Meals on Wheels program that serves
five communities: Danvers, Middleton, Marblehead, Peabody and Salem. The program delivers meals once per day
Monday through Friday. An average of 2,200 hot lunches are delivered daily across all five communities, with an
average of 190 participants also receiving cold suppers with their lunches. The meals are preselected and conform to
nutritional guidelines. North Shore Elder Services has a nutritionist on staff and special diets, such as lactose-free and
low-sodium, are available. Participants must be 60 years or older and housebound to be eligible for Meals on Wheels.
There are no income restrictions. Meals on Wheels is both state and federally funded.
Council on Aging Shuttle - Food Stores
July August September October November Average per
Month
Walmart 18 21 19 12 11 16.2
Trader Joe’s 4 0 10 0 5 3.8
Steves 5 11 6 6 1 5.8
Market Basket 107 83 69 74 87 84
Crosby’s 40 42 34 35 37 37.6
Shaw’s 22 23 14 12 11 16.4
Table 43
Monday Tuesday Thursday Wednesday Friday
Market
Basket
Crosby’s
Market
Market
Basket Market
Basket
Walmart
Pickup:
10:30 am
Drop Off:
12:30 pm
Pickup:
10:30 am
Drop Off:
12:30 pm
Pickup:
10:30 am
Drop Off:
12:30 pm
Pickup:
10:30 am
Drop Off:
12:30 pm
Council on Aging
Food Store Shuttle Schedule
Table 44
FOOD ACCESS 41
Site Analysis-Market Basket, Target and Shaw’s
Highland Avenue
The RFS illustrates that Market Basket on Highland Avenue is the busiest food store in Salem. Market Basket is
located in the Hawthorne Square shopping area along with Target and Shaw’s. To better understand how people
access these stores, a site and circulation analysis was conducted.
Highland Avenue, or State route 107, is essentially a four-lane highway leading from downtown Salem past
Hawthorne Square into Lynn. The road is a primary access point for commuters going from Salem south to Boston.
The road has a speed limit of 35 mph, but traffic tends to move at a higher speed. Highland Avenue is also the home
of several other important destinations: Salem High School, Collins Middle School and North Shore Medical Center
(NSMC). There is currently no bike infrastructure along Highland Avenue. Very few bikers use the road because of
high-speed cars and little room on the side. The Hawthorne Square area also sits at one of the highest elevations in
Salem. Although the incline is not extremely steep, it may scare some bikers away.
Pedestrian infrastructure is spotty throughout the
Highland Avenue corridor, as is illustrated in the
images below.
There is little pedestrian connection between
various businesses. The road was clearly designed for
cars with little thought to pedestrians.
Highland Avenue is largely zoned for industrial and
business use. There is very little housing directly on
this route. However, neighborhoods, public housing
and apartment complexes all surround the road.
The MBTA has several bus stops around Hawthorne
Square. Two of the stops include benches within a
waiting shed. However, the stop closest to Market
Basket does not have shelter or seating. The stop is
also not easily accessible for people with disabilities.
Two bus lines run down Highland Avenue, the
450 and 455. These lines are the two busiest in Salem.
It takes about nine minutes to get from the Salem
station to Market Basket. However, the buses run
approximately every 50 minutes, making it difficult to
shop in a timely manner.
Highland Avenue
Figure 13
MBTA Bus Stop
Figure 14
MBTA Bus Stop
Figure 15
FOOD ACCESS 42
Hawthorne Square
Getting to Hawthorne Square is difficult using any mode of transportation. A circulation study was done to better
understand how people move through the parking lots and roads within a half mile of the stores. The analysis looked
at car and pedestrian circulation, sidewalks and crosswalks, loading zones and nodes of congestion.
Pedestrian Circulation
The pedestrian study begins on Highland Avenue. Getting into Hawthorne Square is difficult for pedestrians
coming from either direction on Highland Avenue. Accessible sidewalks are available on Highland Avenue within
the half-mile area studied. However, the sidewalks are broken up by large driveways, which can be very dangerous to
cross. The sidewalks just outside the area of study either do not exist or are not ADA accessible. This is true in either
direction of the shopping plaza. This can be seen in the image on the previous page. Crosswalks are available at
each major intersection leading into the plaza (Highland/Traders Way and Highland/First Street). At the time of this
assessment, the paint is faint and in need of a touch up.
Once a pedestrian enters the plaza, from either intersection, the sidewalks are only available on one side of the
street. The sidewalks end at the first turn off into the parking lots. From the sidewalk, pedestrians are forced to walk
among cars to get to each of the stores. Each store does have sidewalks directly in front, but they are disconnected
from any other sidewalks. HIGHLAND AVENUE
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T
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Pedestrian
MBTA Bus Stop
Loading Zone
Crosswalk
Sidewalk
Vegetation
T
T
CVS
McDonalds
Taco
Bell
Burger
King
Market
Basket
Target
Shaw’s
IHOP
Pedestrian Circulation
Hawthorne Square
Figure 16
FOOD ACCESS 43
The parking lot near Shaw’s has vegetated strips that offer a protected
area for pedestrians to walk. However, the vegetated areas do not offer
a way for people with wheel-chairs or shopping carts to safely move
through the lot. The vegetated strips play an important ecological
role. They add some beauty, but more importantly, they help to control
storm-water. This is important for many reasons, including slowing
toxic substances from flowing from the street to various water sources.
In the case of accessibility, the vegetated strips can help reduce water
from pooling on the surface of the road. This leads to safer streets for
cars and a much more pleasant walking environment for pedestrians.
Figure 17 Figure 18
Vegetated Strip
Figure 19
HIGHLAND AVEN
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0 0.10.05 Miles
T
T
Congestion Node
Vehicular
Delivery
MBTA Bus Stop
Loading Zone
Crosswalk
Sidewalk
Vegetation
T
T
CVS
McDonalds
Taco
Bell
Burger
King
Market
Basket
Target
Shaw’s
IHOP
Vehicular Circulation
Hawthorne Square
Figure 20
FOOD ACCESS 44
Vehicular Circulation
Cars dominate the area surrounding Hawthorne Square. Traffic flows from both directions, either coming north
from Lynn or south from downtown Salem. Both the intersection of Traders Way/Highland Avenue and First Street/
Highland Avenue are the primary means of access to the stores in Hawthorne Plaza. Traders Way also allows access
to several other stores, including a PetSmart and a Home Depot.
The map below shows the various primary nodes where congestion occurs from turning cars and entrances. The
diagrams on the following page illustrates the car crashes that occurred in the area between 2011-2015. In those four
years, there were over 90 crashes within a half mile of Hawthorne Square. A large number of these crashes occurred
within the nodes presented here.
The parking lots allow cars to move in both directions throughout. The parking lot is very rarely (if ever) full. A
more in-depth study may need to occur to better understand the parking patterns. This may allow for a redistribution
of space to include safety measures for pedestrians.
Delivery vehicles use both First Street and Traders Way. Deliveries for Market Basket are received on the side of
the building, forcing trucks to drive through the parking lots. Deliveries for Target, Shaw’s, and other adjacent stores
are received behind the building. Trucks will usually enter the shopping area on Traders Way and drive behind the
building, avoiding the parking lot.
Car Crashes
2011-2015
CVS
McDonalds
Taco
Bell
Burger
King
Market
Basket
Target
Shaw’s
IHOP
Figure 21
FOOD ACCESS 45
Site Analysis Conclusion
The area leading up to and inside Hawthorne Square is dominated by the automobile. Improving the pedestrian
experience is extremely important for several reasons. First, it would allow safe access to people who do not have a
car. Increasing pedestrian use of Hawthorne Square would decrease congestion and vehicular crashes. It would also
allow easier access for people who require the use of a car to shop, such as those with disabilities. There are some
potential changes that could improve access for all people in Hawthorne Square. A more detailed traffic study could
be done to better understand various areas of congestion within the parking lot. Parking spots could be eliminated to
reorganize the space to include more pedestrian infrastructure. The vegetated strips could include proper sidewalks
to allow safe access to cars. The MBTA bus stations could be upgraded to include benches and shelters. All of these
proposed changes would increase access to people who need it, as well as make driving safer and more efficient.
Site Analysis - Salem Pantry
An analysis of the Salem Pantry was conducted to understand the issues with the location and the interior space.
The Salem Pantry is located downtown, one block from Salem station. The space is in the basement of The Bridge
at 211, an event space in a former church. The space has several issues that make the pantry difficult for both the
volunteers and the clientele.
Pedestrian and Public Transit Access
The pedestrian infrastructure is relatively good around the Salem Pantry. Because of its proximity to Salem station,
it is easily accessible from any area in Salem near an MBTA bus station. The issues raised earlier regarding the
frequency of buses still apply for this site. However, since multiple lines run on the same streets, and start and end at
the commuter rail station, this allows for more frequency of available buses.
Vehicular and Parking
The Salem Pantry is located at a point where many of the
major corridors leading into Salem meet. This allows for easy
access by car. Parking is an issue around the site. The Bridge
at 211 has a parking lot attached to the building with nine
reserved spots not accessible by pantry users. There is no
parking available in front on Bridge Street. There are several
private parking lots near the pantry that have no access for
pantry users. The Bell at Salem Station apartment complex
across the street has a small amount of public parking, but this
is not well-known. There are several options for paid parking
within several blocks of the pantry including: the parking
garage at Salem station, the Church Street parking lot and the
Museum Place parking lot. There is also opportunity to park at
metered spaces near the pantry. The closest garage is the Salem
station which costs $5 per day. They do not offer an hourly
rate. The Museum Place Garage, located about a 3-minute
walk from the pantry, costs 75 cents an hour. Street parking
costs differ depending on the location, but is usually the least
expensive. Street parking can be difficult to find during peak
times, but there is usually availability within a couple blocks of
the pantry. The prices for parking are not extremely high, but it
is an additional cost for people who might not be able to afford
any extra expenses. Parking is also a problem for volunteers
working in the pantry.
Parking Lot:
9 Reserved
Spots
Truck Loading
Area
Pantry
Entrance
FOOD ACCESS 46
Food Delivery
According to the Salem Pantry director, the
pantry receives one truck of food each month
from the Greater Boston Food Bank containing
around 8,000 pounds of food. The truck is backed
into the parking lot where volunteers transport
the food into the pantry. During this period, the
truck blocks off access to the parking lot. This
is a very difficult and time-consuming task. The
images below illustrate several issues that hinder
easy access into the pantry. First, the food is
passed down from the bed of the truck to hand
trucks. The volunteers then have to manage
uneven pavement. Then, upon entering the doors,
they have to make a tight turn in a small space to
get onto a small, movable ramp. Once the hand
trucks make it up the ramp, the volunteers have
to maneuver the hand trucks through the double
doors. Once through the initial double doors, the
volunteers have to angle the hand trucks through
another set of doors. There are 3 doors, 2 on
the left and right at a 45 degree angle, and one
directly in front of the double doors. This requires
volunteers to make a quick turn to get inside the
pantry itself. However, the door directly in front
does help protect the interior from cold weather.
Access
People using the pantry are required to enter and exit through a single door. This creates a pinch point that makes
access inside difficult. The small entrance way also forces users to wait outside, no matter the weather.
The current director of the Salem Pantry supplied information to inform this analysis. Below is her wish list for a
potential new pantry site:
• A facility with a loading dock
• A parking lot or off-street parking
• A location closer to the Point neighborhood
• Exclusive space allowing for the ability to operate more frequently
Food Access Assets:
• The majority of Salem residents (68%) are within walking distance to stores with a variety of fresh fruits and
vegetables.
• The majority of SNAP users (89%) are within walking distance to stores with a variety of fresh fruits and
vegetables.
• MBTA buses allow access to various food stores.
• Council on Aging vans gave 3,639 free rides to stores in 2017.
Difficult Angle
for a 2 Wheeler
Initial Double Door
Uneven
Pavement
No Ramp
FOOD ACCESS 47
Food Access Deficits:
• Stores with the least expensive, highest quality produce are outside large density areas and are difficult to access
on foot or bike.
• Difficult access to major stores on the MBTA buses because of large gaps in service
• Little to no bike parking at stores
• Unhealthy food options are prominent in the front of most stores.
• Advertising skews heavily towards unhealthy foods.
• Many foodretailers do not advertise that they participate in SNAP/WIC
FOOD WASTE
FOOD WASTE 49
Food waste
What is Food Waste and Where Does it Come From?
“Wasted, surplus or excess food” refers to edible food that is lost or sent for
disposal . It may include unsold food from retail stores, untouched prepared
food or food scraps from restaurants, grocery stores, cafeterias or industrial
processing. The term “food waste” is commonly used to describe food unfit
for human consumption that is sent for disposal . Food waste may be used to
feed animals, composted, or sent to an anaerobic digester . According to the
Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, food waste and
other compostable material make up an estimated 25% of all waste .13 The
2015 Massachusetts Local Food Action Plan calls for food waste reduction
as one of its primary goals .
Why is it Important to Reduce Food Waste?
Reducing food waste is good for the economy, the environment and for communities in general. In 2014 alone,
more than 38 million tons of food waste were generated, with only 5.1% diverted from landfills and incinerators for
composting.13 The EPA estimates that more food reaches landfills and incinerators than any other single material
in our everyday trash, constituting 21.6% of discarded municipal solid waste. Additionally, the U.S. Department of
Agriculture (USDA) estimated that in 2010, 31% or 133 billion pounds of the 430 billion pounds of food produced
was not available for human consumption at the retail and consumer levels (i.e., one-third of the food available was
not eaten).13
Community Benefits of Reducing Food Waste
Saving Money
• Pay Less for Trash Pickup – Organizations might pay less for trash pickup by keeping wasted food out of the
garbage. Some haulers lower fees if wasted food is separated from the trash and sent to a compost facility
instead of the landfill.
• Receive Tax Benefits by Donating – If you donate healthy, safe and edible food to hungry people, your
organization can claim tax benefits. The Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act protects food
donors from legal liability.
• Waste Less and Spend Less – If you or your organization can find ways to prevent waste in the first place, you
can spend less by buying only the food you will use. Preventing wasted food can also reduce energy and labor
costs associated with throwing away good food.
• Create Job Opportunities – Recovering and recycling wasted food through donation, salvaging, processing,
industrial reuse, and composting strengthens infrastructure and creates jobs. Food recycling in these sectors
employs more than 36,000 people, supporting local economies and promoting innovation.5
Conserving Resources
• Reduce Methane from Landfills – When food goes to the landfill, it’s similar to tying food in a plastic bag. The
nutrients in the food never return to the soil. The wasted food rots and produces methane gas.
• Save Resources – Wasted food wastes the water, gasoline, energy, labor, pesticides, land, and fertilizers used to
make the food. When we throw food in the trash, we’re throwing away much more than food.
• Return Nutrients to the Soil – If you can’t prevent, reduce or donate wasted food, you can compost. By sending
food scraps to a composting facility instead of to a landfill, or by composting at home, you’re helping to make
healthy soils. Properly composted organics (wasted food and yard waste) improve soil health and structure,
improve water retention, support more native plants, and reduce the need for fertilizers and pesticides.
Adapted from: https://www.epa.gov/sustainable-management-food/sustainable-management-food-basics#what
FOOD WASTE 50
What Steps are Being Taken in Salem to Reduce Food Waste?
Commercial Food Material Disposal Ban
Since October 1, 2014, MassDEP has banned the disposal of commercial organic wastes by businesses and
institutions that dispose of one ton or more of these materials per week. The ban is one of the agency’s initiatives for
diverting at least 35 percent of all food waste from disposal statewide by 2020.
Restaurants
Mass in Motion distributed a food waste survey through the Chamber of Commerce to all of the Salem restaurants
to find out how much, if any, food waste is generated at our local eating establishments. Seventeen restaurants
responded:
• 76% of respondents said food waste is not an issue.
• 46% said they don’t usually have leftover food.
• 41% send leftovers home with employees.
• 29% compost.
• 18% donate.
• 18% work with food rescue programs.
Supermarkets/grocery stores
Stop & Shop (Peabody)
At the corporate level, Stop & Shop has been diverting 88% of all food waste generated by their stores to someplace
other than a landfill since 2015. This includes composting, recycling and donations to regional food banks. Their goal
is to increase that number to 90% by 2020.
Stop & Shop also has a distribution center in Freetown, Massachusetts, that converts inedible food waste into clean,
green energy. Using a natural process called “anaerobic digestion,” the facility obtains almost 40% of its energy solely
from recycling.
The Stop & Shop Peabody location diverts an average of eight pallet-sized bins (estimated at about 3,200 pounds of
inedible food waste) six times each week to the anaerobic digestion facility, for a total of nearly 20,000 pounds of food
waste that would otherwise end up in landfills.
At the local level, Stop & Shop in Peabody, Massachusetts, donates unsold items from their bakery and bread aisle
each week to a local nonprofit. A local rendering company also comes weekly to pick up food scraps from their meat
department.
Shaw’s (Salem)
The Shaw’s supermarket in Salem has a store policy of 100% recycling. All foods, except for meat, that are inedible
are picked up by a nearby farm and used to feed livestock. A rendering company picks up inedible meat. All other
edible foods that cannot be sold, such as baked goods, are picked up daily and donated to local organizations.
At the corporate level, Shaw’s store directors and managers are encouraged to “know their garbage” and maximize
participation in all available recycling programs. Stores have found that by changing daily “throw away” behavior, 90%
or more of the “waste” from the stores can be reused, recycled, composted or donated to food banks.
Crosby’s (Salem)
Crosby’s Market in Salem has a donation program that donates food weekly to two local nonprofits. Each
organization picks up the donated food twice per week.
Market Basket (Salem)
Market Basket has virtually no edible food waste due to having a high-volume turnover rate in their stores. Market
Basket has instituted an organic recycling program where an outside company picks up 100% of their food waste,
which is then either diverted to compost or fed to livestock.
FOOD WASTE 51
Steve’s Quality Market (Salem)
Steve’s Quality Market is a small, independent grocery store located in downtown Salem. They report that they
have minimal food waste, but when they do have any unsold food that cannot stay on the shelves, it is donated to
Lifebridge, the local homeless shelter located next door to the store. It is mostly produce that is donated. They make
their own bread at the store, and the unsold bread is re-purposed and used in other foods, such as breadcrumbs for
meatloaf or meatballs.
Salem State University
Salem State University sets goals each year to reduce and reuse food waste. They track their efforts and compile data
to measure and evaluate their progress.
Salem State University has a composting program that operates in their two main dining halls as well as three other
dining locations on campus. The university was awarded with the EPA Food Recovery Challenge Award in 2015 and a
Certificate of Achievement in 2016.
Salem Public Schools
Food waste at schools is primarily avoided by giving students more time to eat. Share tables for leftover snacks are
also used at the schools, but only for non-perishable, unopened foods.
Farm Direct Coop (CSA)
The FDC offers their leftovers to members first. All leftovers are given away at the very end of the service hours.
Any remaining food in Salem is donated to the Council on Aging.
Residential composting
Black Earth Compost, located in Gloucester, Massachusetts, provides compost pickup services to Salem residents
for a monthly fee. About 450 residents in Salem are using Black Earth to pick up compost, averaging about 10.5 lbs
each week per household. The fee for this service is $49.00 for a six-month period.
Food Rescue Programs
Haven from Hunger
Haven from Hunger rescues between 30,000-40,000 pounds of food per month. Their food rescue program
includes numerous local grocery stores and restaurants including: BJ’s, Costco, Target, Shaw’s, Whole Foods, D’Orsi’s
Bakery & Deli and Olive Garden. With one truck, one driver and a volunteer assistant, Haven from Hunger is able to
pick up food four days per week. The food is picked up each morning and examined and staged for distribution in
their food pantry the same day. Most of the food they rescue is perishable and includes frozen meats. Any food that is
not donated through the food pantry is used for their community meals program.
Lifebridge
Lifebridge receives some prepared foods from Whole Foods, Crosby’s and Panera Bread. They use mainly fresh
produce for their meals, so their use of canned fruits and vegetables is limited.
CONCLUSION 52
Conclusion and Recommendations
Conclusion
The results of the Salem Community Food Assessment show that Salem residents find it difficult to access fresh,
affordable foods in their smaller neighborhood retail stores. Additionally, public transportation to large supermarkets
is often unreliable, and parking for bicycles is limited or nonexistent.
Emergency Food Providers (EFPs) are often limited in the types of fresh foods they can offer and aren’t always able
to provide culturally appropriate foods for Salem’s diverse community. Restrictive eligibility at some local pantries
may prevent participation for some residents in need. Also, the locations of Salem’s pantries are not easily accessible to
many of Salem’s highest need populations, limiting access for those without transportation.
While there is a strong interest in community agriculture, space restrictions and lack of volunteers inhibit the
expansion of the Salem Community Gardens. Salem’s agricultural zoning ordinance is also more restrictive than what
the state requires, making it difficult for would-be urban farmers to earn a living in Salem.
More research is needed regarding food waste. Opportunities to expand food rescue programs and composting
programs to schools, local hospitals and other facilities may exist through outside funding sources.
Goals and Recommendations
Organization and Implementation
1. Goal: The Salem Community Food Assessment and Plan is implemented strategically.
1.1. Recommendation: Convene the Salem Food Policy Council as the leading coalition for implementing the
Salem Community Food Assessment and Plan.
1.2. Recommendation: Determine structure of the Salem Food Policy Council and member roles and
expectations. Ensure the membership is balanced and representative.
1.3. Recommendation: Prioritize goals and recommendations, and develop a strategy and timeline for
implementing recommendations and achieving goals. (Lead: Salem Food Policy Council)
1.4. Recommendations: Develop and implement a communications strategy to engage and inform residents and
municipal leaders on the implementation of the Salem Community Food Assessment and Plan.
1.5. Recommendation: Include food system goals in municipal plans. These may include comprehensive; open
space; and transportation plans, among others. (Lead: Salem Food Policy Council)
1.6. Recommendation: Periodically review progress toward implementing recommendations and update and
revise the Salem Community Food Assessment and Plan as needed.
Food Security
2. Goal: Salem promotes food security, health, and equity.
2.1. Recommendation: Create an Emergency Food Provider (EFP) Collaborative to coordinate and improve
services. Specifically, coordination should focus on addressing need for emergency food deliveries and reducing
transportation costs.
2.2. Recommendation: Work with EFPs to reduce restrictions on residents for obtaining food assistance, such as
requiring birth certificates of dependents and SNAP/EBT cards.
2.3. Recommendation: Prioritize providing nutritious food options at food pantries, improve infrastructure,
systems and capacity to ensure this can happen sustainably.
2.4. Recommendation: Increase nutrition education at food pantries by encouraging pantries to provide cooking
demonstrations and recipes for clientele as well as assistance choosing foods for special diets, such as diabetic
and heart-healthy.
2.5. Recommendation: Expand upon existing bilingual community outreach strategies promoting food
assistance and incentives programs and resources. These include SNAP, WIC, food pantries, community meal
programs, and the Healthy Incentives Program, among others.
2.6. Recommendation: Streamline the Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program process to improve
accessibility and use of the program.
2.7. Recommendation: Improve transportation access to the farmers market for older adults.
CONCLUSION 53
2.8. Recommendation: Implement a mobile food pantry to provide food assistance to residents in areas without
access to a traditional food pantry. Priority areas for mobile food pantry operation include: the Point and Castle
Hill neighborhoods and Salem Housing Authority properties such as Rainbow Terrace.
2.9. Recommendation: Recruit additional sponsors for the Salem Summer Meals Program to increase food
access for children during the summer months.
Community Agriculture
3. Goal: Salem promotes increased production of locally grown foods.
3.1. Recommendation: Amend agricultural ordinance requiring that use of land for the primary purpose of
agriculture, horticulture, floriculture, or viticulture must be on a parcel of more than five acres to reflect the less
restrictive requirements set by the state of Massachusetts in 2010 (General Laws Section 40A, Section 3) of two
acres or more if the sale of products from the agricultural use generates $1,000 or more per acre of gross annual
sales.
3.2. Recommendation: Amend zoning and/or building codes to allow for green roofs and rooftop gardens.
Ensure codes address safety concerns.
3.3. Recommendation: Assess suitability of vacant municipal land and buildings for potential expansion of
community gardens, and allow the use of these for such activities.
3.4. Recommendation: Include gardening and nutrition education in the curriculum of all Salem Public Schools.
3.5. Recommendation: Partner community agriculture outlets with corner stores to provide stores with excess
produce to sell at reduced prices.
Food Access
4. Goal: All Salem residents have access to nutritious, affordable foods.
4.1. Recommendation: Support the creation and expansion of healthy food retail through programs such as Mass
in Motion’s Healthy Market Program.
4.2. Recommendation: Explore the feasibility of using the business licensing process to require corner stores to
stock a minimum of healthy, fresh and prepared foods and beverages.
4.3. Recommendation: Ensure public transportation routes increase access to healthy foods.
4.4. Recommendation: Improve pedestrian and bicycle access to food retail, farmers’ market and pantries.
4.5. Recommendation: Amend zoning regulations to allow mobile food vendors to sell fresh produce.
4.6. Recommendation: Leverage Storefront Improvement Program as a way for food retailers to make exterior
improvements in order to attract customers.
Goal 5: Food Waste
5. Goal: Salem ensures the greatest amount of nutritious food is eaten, and less food is wasted.
5.1. Recommendation: Collaborate with RecyclingWorks to assess opportunities that ensure food surplus
is distributed to people for consumption, or if it is no longer edible that ensure food waste is composted or
processed through anaerobic digestion into streams that reduce food waste and increase
5.2. Recommendation: Research Best Management Practices and implement strategies to distribute nutritious
and reclaimable food from commercial and other large institutions to EFPs and residents.
5.3. Recommendation: Evaluate the feasibility of creating a district-wide composting program for Salem Public
Schools.
REFERENCES 54
References
1. United States Census Bureau. 2012-2016 American Community Survey Five-Year Estimates: ACS
Demographic and Housing Estimates. https://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/
productview.xhtml?src=CF. Accessed February 8, 2017.
2. Town Charts. http://www.towncharts.com/Massachusetts/Economy/Salem-city-MA-Economy-data.
html. Accessed October 17, 2017.
3. Massachusetts Department of Education. School and District Profiles. http://profiles.doe.mass.edu/
profiles/student.aspx?orgcode=02580000&orgtypecode=5&. Accessed October 17, 2017.
4. North Shore Medical Center. North Shore Medical Center: 2015 Community Health Needs
Assessment. https://mynsmc.partners.org/cmsLibrary/nsmc/pdf/NSMC_SRN_CHNA_Final%20
Report_021016.pdfOctober 1, 2015. Accessed November 15, 2016.
5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. https://www.
cdc.gov/brfss/index.html. Updated August 25, 2017. Accessed September 15, 2017.
6. Pothukuchi K, Joseph H, Burton H, Fisher A. What’s Cooking in Your Food System? A Guide to
Community Food Assessment. https://www.downtowndevelopment.com/pdf/whats_cooking.pdf.
2002. Accessed September 15, 2017.
7. United States Department of Agriculture. Definitions of Food Security. https://www.ers.usda.gov/
topics/food-nutrition-assistance/food-security-in-the-us/definitions-of-food-security/. Updated
October 4, 2017. Accessed November 6, 2017.
8. United States Census Bureau. Small Area Health Insurance Estimates (SAHIE) Program. https://www.
census.gov/programs-surveys/sahie/technical-documentation/model-input-data/snap.html. Accessed
September 15, 2017.
9. Taitelbaum D, Walker K. The Greater Boston Food Bank, 2017. FY 2018 three meals a day goal
methodology. https://www.gbfb.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/FY-2018-Three-Meals-A-Day-Goal-
Methodology.pdf. Accessed May 16, 2018.
10. Gundersen C, Dewey A, Crumbaugh A, Kato M, Engelhard E. Feeding America, 2017. Map the
meal gap 2017: food insecurity and child food insecurity estimates at the county level.
http://www.feedingamerica.org/research/map-the-meal-gap/2015/2015-mapthemealgap-exec-
summary.pdf. Accessed May 16, 2018.
11. Alaimo K, Packnett E, Miles RA, Kruger DJ. Fruit and vegetable intake among urban community
gardeners. J Nutr Educ Behav. 2008 Mar-Apr;40(2):94-101. doi: 10.1016/j.jneb.2006.12.003.
12. United States Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service. FoodAPS National Household
Food Acquisition and Purchase Survey: Data Access. https://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/
foodaps-national-household-food-acquisition-and-purchase-survey/data-access/. Updated April 2,
2018. Accessed May 11, 2018.
13. United States Environmental Protection Agency. Sustainable management of food basics. https://www.
epa.gov/sustainable-management-food/sustainable-management-food-basics#what. Accessed
May 17, 2018.
APPENDIX A 55
8.28%26
80.89%254
3.82%12
1.27%4
0.96%3
0.32%1
4.46%14
Q1 How do you usually get to the supermarket or food store?
Answered: 314 Skipped: 1
TOTAL 314
Walk
Drive myself
A friend
drives me
Bus
Taxi
Bike
Other (please
specify)
0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%100%
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Walk
Drive myself
A friend drives me
Bus
Taxi
Bike
Other (please specify)
Appendix A
Resident Food Survey (RFS)
APPENDIX A 56
13.74%43
43.13%135
33.55%105
6.07%19
1.92%6
1.60%5
Q2 How long does it typically take to get to the supermarket or food store?
Answered: 313 Skipped: 2
TOTAL 313
Less than 5mins
5-10 mins
11-20 mins
21-30 mins
31-45 mins
More than 45mins
0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%100%
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Less than 5 mins
5-10 mins
11-20 mins
21-30 mins
31-45 mins
More than 45 mins
Q3 What is the name and location of the store where you buy MOST of your
food? (e.g. "Market Basket on Highland Ave.)
Answered: 309 Skipped: 6
APPENDIX A 57
54.88%90
32.32%53
18.29%30
9.15%15
24.39%40
Q4 What foods do you have the MOST difficulty finding near your home?
(Check all that apply)
Answered: 164 Skipped: 151
TOTAL
Fruits and/or vegetables
Lean meats or proteins
Whole grains
Dairy products
Foods native to my culture
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Fruits and/or vegetables (fresh or frozen)
Lean meats or proteins (beef, poultry, fish, eggs, beans, nuts, etc.)
Whole grains
Dairy products
Foods native to my culture or family tradition
164
APPENDIX A 58
43.91%137
41.35%129
10.58%33
3.21%10
2.24%7
1.92%6
Q5 How often do you (or a household member) cook or prepare meals from
scratch?
Answered: 312 Skipped: 3
TOTAL
Daily
Several timesper week
Weekly
Monthly
A few timesper year
Never
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Daily
Several times per week
Weekly
Monthly
A few times per year
Never
312
APPENDIX A 59
1.94%6
17.15%53
30.10%93
27.18%84
16.83%52
6.80%21
Q6 How often do you eat takeout or fast food?
Answered: 309 Skipped: 6
TOTAL 309
Daily
Several timesper week
Weekly
Monthly
A few timesper year
Never
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Daily
Several times per week
Weekly
Monthly
A few times per year
Never
APPENDIX A 60
1.94%6
9.03%28
30.00%93
35.48%110
20.97%65
2.58%8
Q7 How often do you eat out at non-fast food restaurants?
Answered: 310 Skipped: 5
TOTAL 310
Daily
Several timesper week
Weekly
Monthly
A few timesper year
Never
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Daily
Several times per week
Weekly
Monthly
A few times per year
Never
APPENDIX A 61
1.60%5
11.18%35
19.81%62
21.73%68
16.93%53
16.29%51
12.46%39
Q8 About how many servings of fruits and vegetables do you eat each day? (Note:
a serving is about 1/2 cup of chopped fruits and veg, 1 small apple, 1/2 banana, a
handful of carrots, or 2 cups raw, leafy greens.)
Answered: 313 Skipped: 2
TOTAL 313
0
1
2
3
4
5
More than 5
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
0
1
2
3
4
5
More than 5
APPENDIX A 62
20.09%46
6.99%16
21.40%49
6.11%14
14.41%33
31.00%71
Q9 If less than 5, what MOST prevents you from eating 5 or more servings
of fruits and vegetables each day? (Check all that apply)
Answered: 229 Skipped: 86
TOTAL 229
They cost toomuch
Unable to findthem in loca...
Personal orfamily...
Not sure howto make them...
Preparationtime
My schedule
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
They cost too much
Unable to find them in local stores
Personal or family preferences
Not sure how to make them taste good
Preparation time
My schedule
APPENDIX A 63
73.40%218
29.97%89
7.07%21
65.99%196
28.28%84
1.35%4
Q10 Where do you find information on nutrition and healthy eating?
(Check all that apply)
Answered: 297 Skipped: 18
TOTAL
Food labels
Family and/orfriends
School
Media (TV,books,...
Physician ordietitian
Cannot findgood...
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Food labels
Family and/or friends
School
Media (TV, books, newspaper, internet, etc.)
Physician or dietitian
Cannot find good information
297
APPENDIX A 64
44.04%133
55.96%169
Q11 Would you be interested in participating in community nutrition
education programs in Salem?
Answered: 302 Skipped: 13
TOTAL 302
Yes
No
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Yes
No
39.41%121
60.59%186
Q12 Do you grow any of your own food?
Answered: 307 Skipped: 8
TOTAL 307
Yes
No
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Yes
No
APPENDIX A 65
29.44%63
31.31%67
22.43%48
16.82%36
Q13 If 'No' are you interested in learning about growing your own food?
Answered: 214 Skipped: 101
TOTAL 214
Very interested
Fairlyinterested
Not veryinterested
Not interestedat all
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Very interested
Fairly interested
Not very interested
Not interested at all
APPENDIX A 66
7.26%22
92.74%281
Q14 Do you participate in a community garden program? (If yes, skip to question 17.)
Answered: 303 Skipped: 12
TOTAL 303
Yes
No
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Yes
No
50.18%141
49.82%140
Q15 If 'No', would you be interested in growing your own food at a
community garden in your neighborhood?
Answered: 281 Skipped: 34
TOTAL 281
Yes
No
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Yes
No
APPENDIX A 67
61.76%189
38.24%117
Q16 Do you shop at the Salem Farmers' Market?
Answered: 306 Skipped: 9
TOTAL 306
Yes
No
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Yes
No
APPENDIX A 68
11.28%15
13.53%18
0.75%1
0.00%0
31.58%42
24.81%33
1.50%2
16.54%22
TOTAL 133
Q17 If 'No', why don't you shop at the Salem Farmers' Market?
Answered: 133 Skipped: 182
Unaware of it
Lack of parking
Lack oftransportation
Don't like thelocation
Inconvenienthours or time
Too expensive
Not enoughselection
Other (pleasespecify)
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Unaware of it
Lack of parking
Lack of transportation
Don't like the location
Inconvenient hours or time
Too expensive
Not enough selection
Other (please specify)
APPENDIX A 69
7.40%23
2.25%7
8.04%25
4.82%15
9.97%31
15.76%49
Q18 Which neighborhood in Salem do you live in?
Answered: 311 Skipped: 4
Derby Street
Willows
Bridge StreetNeck
Point
McIntire
North Salem
South Salem
Gallows Hill
WitchcraftHeights
Downtown
Highland Ave.
Salem Common
Other (pleasespecify)
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Derby Street
Willows
Bridge Street Neck
Point
McIntire
North Salem
APPENDIX A 70
17.04%53
4.18%13
4.18%13
6.11%19
4.50%14
9.65%30
6.11%19
TOTAL 311
South Salem
Gallows Hill
Witchcraft Heights
Downtown
Highland Ave.
Salem Common
Other (please specify)
61.02%191
38.98%122
Q19 Are you aware of any emergency food providers in Salem, such as
food pantries or hot meal providers?
Answered: 313 Skipped: 2
TOTAL 313
Yes
No
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Yes
No
APPENDIX A 71
7.11%16
92.89%209
Q20 If 'Yes', have you used one in the past year?
Answered: 225 Skipped: 90
TOTAL 225
Yes
No
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Yes
No
APPENDIX A 72
38.46%30
6.41%5
3.85%3
14.10%11
23.08%18
14.10%11
30.77%24
Q21 Do you or does anyone in your household currently participate in any of the
following programs? (Check all that apply)
Answered: 78 Skipped: 237
TOTAL
SNAP/EBT/FoodStamps
WIC (Women,Infants and...
Senior coupons
SSI(Supplementa...
Free orReduced Scho...
Salem SummerMeals Program
Other (pleasespecify)
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
SNAP/EBT/Food Stamps
WIC (Women, Infants and Children)
Senior coupons
SSI (Supplemental Security Income)
Free or Reduced School Lunch
Salem Summer Meals Program
Other (please specify)
78
APPENDIX A 73
22.55%69
77.78%238
Q22 Are you:
Answered: 306 Skipped: 9
TOTAL
Male
Female
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Male
Female
306
APPENDIX A 74
2.72%8
90.48%266
8.16%24
2.38%7
Q23 What is your race/ethnicity?
Answered: 294 Skipped: 21
TOTAL
AfricanAmerican
White
Hispanic orLatino
Asian
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
African American
White
Hispanic or Latino
Asian
294
APPENDIX A 75
1.66%5
4.64%14
8.61%26
14.57%44
19.54%59
13.91%42
31.79%96
5.30%16
Q24 In what range does your household income fall?
Answered: 302 Skipped: 13
TOTAL 302
Less than$10,000
$10,000-14,999
$15,000-24,999
$25,000-34,999
$50,000-74,999
$75,999-99,999
More than$100,000
Don't know
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Less than $10,000
$10,000-14,999
$15,000-24,999
$25,000-34,999
$50,000-74,999
$75,999-99,999
More than $100,000
Don't know
APPENDIX A 76
67.74%210
7.74%24
15.48%48
0.00%0
4.52%14
4.52%14
Q25 What is your employment status?
Answered: 310 Skipped: 5
TOTAL 310
Employed
Not employed
Retired
In armed forces
Student
Disability
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Employed
Not employed
Retired
In armed forces
Student
Disability
APPENDIX A 77
1 209 188
39 10,478 271
1 90 143
Q26 How many people live in your household? (include yourself)
Answered: 307 Skipped: 8
TOTAL
# of childrenunder 18:
# of adults18-64:
# of adults 65and older:
0 10 20 30 40 50
ANSWER CHOICES AVERAGE NUMBER TOTAL NUMBER RESPONSES
# of children under 18:
# of adults 18-64:
# of adults 65 and older:
307
APPENDIX B 78
APPENDIX B
Emergency Food Provider Survey (EFP)
Q1 Agency name:
Answered: 6 Skipped: 0
Q2 Contact:
Answered: 6 Skipped: 0
Q3 Title:
Answered: 6 Skipped: 0
Q4 Phone:
Answered: 6 Skipped: 0
Q5 Address:
Answered: 6 Skipped: 0
Q6 Zip code:
Answered: 6 Skipped: 0
Q7 Web address:
Answered: 5 Skipped: 1
Q8 Email:
Answered: 6 Skipped: 0
APPENDIX B 79
83.33%5
0.00%0
16.67%1
0.00%0
16.67%1
0.00%0
16.67%1
0.00%0
0.00%0
Q9 What type of emergency food services do you provide? (Check all that apply)
Answered: 6 Skipped: 0
Total Respondents 8
Distributefood bags or...
Federalcommodities...
Seniornutrition...
Meals toshelter...
Deliver mealsand grocerie...
Vouchers formeals to loc...
Vouchers forthe purchase...
Summerfoodservice...
Food rescue
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Distribute food bags or food boxes to needy families or individuals
Federal commodities programs
Senior nutrition program meals
Meals to shelter residents
Deliver meals and groceries to homes
Vouchers for meals to local restaurants
Vouchers for the purchase of groceries at local stores
Summer foodservice program
Food rescue
8
APPENDIX B 80
16.67%1
83.33%5
Q10 Does your agency provide any services other than food to clients?
Answered: 6 Skipped: 0
Total Respondents 6 6
No
Yes, explain
0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90% 100%
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
No
Yes, explain
Q11 How long has this agency been providing emergency food services in Salem,
MA?
Answered: 6 Skipped: 0
APPENDIX B 81
9 27 3
3 12 4
2 7 3
101 201 2
Q12 How often do you provide these services
Answered: 6 Skipped: 0
Total Respondents: 6
# of times perday
# of days eachweek
# of days eachmonth
As neededemergencies
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200
ANSWER CHOICES AVERAGE NUMBER TOTAL NUMBER RESPONSES
# of times per day
# of days each week
# of days each month
As needed emergencies
50.00%3
50.00%3
33.33%2
33.33%2
33.33%2
83.33%5
33.33%2
Q13 What are your hours of operation?
Answered: 6 Skipped: 0
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Monday:
Tuesday:
Wednesday:
Thursday:
Friday:
Saturday:
Sunday:
APPENDIX B 82
Q14 Are there any holidays on which you are regularly closed?
Answered: 6 Skipped: 0
50.00%3
83.33%5
83.33%5
33.33%2
33.33%2
16.67%1
33.33%2
16.67%1
50.00%3
33.33%2
16.67%1
0.00%0
Q15 What, if any, special criteria must clients meet in order to receive food?
Please specify
Answered: 6 Skipped: 0
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Age:
Income guidelines:
Residence:
Church/religious membership or participation:
Enrollment in agency programs:
Community service:
Illness or disability:
Participation in counseling:
Needs-based assessment made by agency staff:
Referral:
None:
Other:
APPENDIX B 83
66.67%4
83.33%5
0.00%0
83.33%5
0.00%0
Q16 What, if any, sort of documentation must clients provide in order to receive
food? Check all that apply.
Answered: 6 Skipped: 0
Total Respondents: 6
Picture ID
Proof ofresidence
Socialsecurity card
Other
None
0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90% 100%
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Picture ID
Proof of residence
Social security card
Other
None
APPENDIX B 84
50.00%3
50.00%3
Q17 Do you limit the number of times an individual or family may use your
services?
Answered: 6 Skipped: 0
Total Respondents 6
Yes. Pleaseexplain how...
No
0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90% 100%
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Yes. Please explain how below
No
83.33%5
16.67%1
Q18 Are clients allowed to use your services if you know they are using other
services/organizations in Salem as well?
Answered: 6 Skipped: 0
Total Respondents 6
Yes
No
0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90% 100%
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Yes
No
APPENDIX B 85
66.67%4
83.33%5
33.33%2
0.00%0
0.00%0
66.67%4
33.33%2
83.33%5
83.33%5
50.00%3
33.33%2
33.33%2
0.00%0
Total Respondents: 6
Gender
Race/Ethnicity
Marital status
Education
Religion
Income information
Disability
Number in household
Number of children
Reason for need
Last time served
Services provided
Agency does not keep records
83.33%5
83.33%5
100.00%6
Q20 Please estimate the percentage of people per age group who use your
services:
Answered: 6 Skipped: 0
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Under 18
18 to 64
65 & over
APPENDIX B 86
100.00%6
100.00%6
100.00%6
33.33%2
33.33%2
16.67%1
Q21 Please estimate the percentage of people per race/ethnicity who use your
services:
Answered: 6 Skipped: 0
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Black or African American
Caucasian
Hispanic/Latino
Asian
Two or more races
Other
100.00%6
100.00%6
83.33%5
100.00%6
83.33%5
66.67%4
50.00%3
66.67%4
50.00%3
66.67%4
83.33%5
83.33%5
66.67%4
50.00%3
Q22 Please explain the emergency food services you provide below, answer all
that apply.
Answered: 6 Skipped: 0
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Average number of food bags or boxes distributed monthly:
Average length of time boxes are intended to last:
Average number of clients served each month -- unduplicated (count each person only once,
even if they used services multiple times last month):
How often do clients receive services per month?
Are boxes tailored for the size of families? Yes or No.
Average number of hot meals or brown bags served each month (count each person only once,
even if they used services multiple times last month):
Average number of breakfasts served each month:
Average number of lunches served each month:
Average number of dinners served each month:
Average number of meals & groceries delivered to clients each month (count each person
only once, even if they used services multiple times last month):
Average number of clients receiving vouchers for the purchase of food each month (count each
person only once, even if they used services multiple times last month):
Average cash value of one voucher:
How often can clients return for vouchers?
Are there any restrictions on voucher use? If so, explain.
APPENDIX B 87
16.67%1
0.00%0
16.67%1
66.67%4
Q23 When do you see the greatest demand for food requests?
Answered: 6 Skipped: 0
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
The beginning of the month
The middle of the month
The end of the month
There is a consistent demand
50.00%3
33.33%2
16.67%1
Q25 Have you noticed any change in need for your agency's services in the past 12
months? Please specify when applicable.
Answered: 6 Skipped: 0
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Yes, Increase
Yes, decrease
No
80.00%4
40.00%2
40.00%2
80.00%4
20.00%1
0.00%0
20.00%1
Q26 What proportion of your food (not funding) do you obtain from each of the
following sources? Please give in percentages.
Answered: 5 Skipped: 1
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Food bank
Commercial donors (business/retail, markets, etc.)
Wholesale food purchases
Food drives
Private donors
None
Other, please explain
APPENDIX B 88
Q27 On average each month, how much does your agency/program spend to
purchase food?
Answered: 4 Skipped: 2
50.00%3
50.00%3
0.00%0
0.00%0
Q28 Do you have enough food to meet the demand?
Answered: 6 Skipped: 0
Total Respondents 6
Always
Usually
Sometimes
Never
0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90% 100%
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Always
Usually
Sometimes
Never
Q29 Approximately what percentage of people do you turn away each month
due to lack of food?
Answered: 6 Skipped: 0
APPENDIX B 89
Q30 Approximately what percentage of people do you have to give a
reduced amount of food each month?
Answered: 5 Skipped: 1
50.00%2
50.00%2
Q31 Do you feel your agency experiences barriers when accessing the food bank?
If yes, please describe.
Answered: 4 Skipped: 2
Total Respondents 4
No
Yes
0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90% 100%
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
No
Yes
APPENDIX B 90
0.00%0
0.00%0
50.00%2
50.00%2
0.00%0
Q32 If the food supply you receive from the food bank were eliminated, would
this have any significant impact on your program? (Check one)
Answered: 4 Skipped: 2
Total Respondents 4
None
Minimal
Significant
Devastating
Unsure
0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90% 100%
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
None
Minimal
Significant
Devastating
Unsure
APPENDIX B 91
80.00%4
0.00%0
20.00%1
0.00%0
Q33 Do your food sources allow you to provide a variety of food?
Answered: 5 Skipped: 1
ANSWER CHOICES
Always
Usually
Sometimes
Never
Total Respondents 5
Always
Usually
Sometimes
Never
0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90% 100%
RESPONSES
APPENDIX B 92
20.00%1
60.00%3
0.00%0
20.00%1
Q34 Are you able to predict what food supplies you will receive from month
to month from your different sources?
Answered: 5 Skipped: 1
ANSWER CHOICES
Always
Usually
Sometimes
Never
Total Respondents 5
Always
Usually
Sometimes
Never
0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90% 100%
RESPONSES
APPENDIX B 93
100.00%4
50.00%2
50.00%2
75.00%3
25.00%1
25.00%1
25.00%1
25.00%1
25.00%1
Q35 What types of food do you typically need more of? Check all that apply
Answered: 4 Skipped: 2
ANSWER CHOICES Bread/
cereal
Fresh fruits/vegetables Milk/
cheese
Meat/poultry/fish/eggs Dried
beans/peanut butter
Formula/baby goods Canned
goods
Hygiene products
Other (please specify) Total
Respondents: 4
Bread/cereal
Freshfruits/veget...
Milk/cheese
Meat/poultry/fish/eggs
Driedbeans/peanut...
Formula/babygoods
Canned goods
Hygieneproducts
Other (pleasespecify)
0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90% 100%
RESPONSES
APPENDIX B 94
50.00%3
16.67%1
33.33%2
0.00%0
Q36 How often does your facility provide fresh fruits and vegetables?
Answered: 6 Skipped: 0
ANSWER CHOICES
Always
Usually
Sometimes
Never
Total Respondents 6
Always
Usually
Sometimes
Never
0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90% 100%
RESPONSES
APPENDIX B 95
60.00%3
20.00%1
60.00%3
40.00%2
40.00%2
Q37 What foods do you avoid distributing? Check all that apply
Answered: 5 Skipped: 1
ANSWER CHOICES
Soda
Chips
Candy
Pastries, donuts, cookies or cakes All
kinds of foods are distributed Total
Respondents: 5
Soda
Chips
Candy
Pastries,
donuts, cook...
All kinds of
foods are...
0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90% 100%
RESPONSES
APPENDIX B 96
0.00%0
0.00%0
40.00%2
40.00%2
20.00%1
20.00%1
60.00%3
Q38 How are clients involved in meal or bag/box preparation? Check all that
apply.
Answered: 5 Skipped: 1
ANSWER CHOICES
Clients can select their proteins
Clients can select their grains
Clients can select their vegetables
Clients can select their fruits
Clients can select their dairy items
Clients can select appropriate options from every category
Clients receive pre-selected items
Total Respondents: 5
Clients canselect their...
Clients canselect their...
Clients canselect their...
Clients canselect their...
Clients canselect their...
Clients canselect...
Clientsreceive...
0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90% 100%
RESPONSES
APPENDIX B 97
100.00%4
75.00%3
25.00%1
0.00%0
25.00%1
50.00%2
25.00%1
50.00%2
Q39 Do you have clients with special dietary needs or allergies? Check all that
apply
Answered: 4 Skipped: 2
ANSWER CHOICES
Low sodium
Low sugar
Low cal
High cal
Gluten free
Lactose free
Allergies
Other (ex: no beef, no pork, Kosher, vegetarian, vegan, etc)
Total Respondents: 4
Low sodium
Low sugar
Low cal
High cal
Gluten free
Lactose free
Allergies
Other (ex: no
beef, no por...
0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90% 100%
RESPONSES
APPENDIX B 98
60.00%3
40.00%2
Q40 Are you able to offer culturally appropriate foods to your clients?
Answered: 5 Skipped: 1
RESPONSESANSWER CHOICES
Yes. Please give examples.
No. Please describe any barriers to this process.
66.67%4
0.00%0
33.33%2
0.00%0
Q41 How often do you use nutrition guidelines for making up the grocery bags or
meals?
Answered: 6 Skipped: 0
ANSWER CHOICES
Always
Usually
Sometimes
Never
Total Respondents 6 6
Always
Usually
Sometimes
Never
0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90% 100%
RESPONSES
APPENDIX B 99
33.33%2
66.67%4
Q42 Do you have a nutritionist on staff or a staff member in charge of deciding
what to serve?
Answered: 6 Skipped: 0
ANSWER CHOICES
Yes
No
Total Respondents 6
Yes
No
0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90% 100%
RESPONSES
50.00%3
50.00%3
Q43 Do you supply nutrition or food preparation information to your
clients?
Answered: 6 Skipped: 0
ANSWER CHOICES
Yes
No
Total Respondents 6
Yes
No
0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90% 100%
RESPONSES
APPENDIX B 100
100.00%6
0.00%0
Q44 Are your refrigerators sufficient for your needs?
Answered: 6 Skipped: 0
ANSWER CHOICES
Yes
No
Total Respondents 6
Yes
No
0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90% 100%
RESPONSES
100.00%6
0.00%0
Q45 Are your freezers sufficient for your needs?
Answered: 6 Skipped: 0
ANSWER CHOICES
Yes
No
Total Respondents 6
Yes
No
0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90% 100%
RESPONSES
APPENDIX B 101
100.00%6
0.00%0
Q46 Is your dry storage/pantry sufficient for your needs?
Answered: 6 Skipped: 0
ANSWER CHOICES
Yes
No
TOTAL 6
Yes
No
0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90% 100%
RESPONSES
0.00%0
100.00%6
Q47 Do you ever have difficulty distributing food before it spoils?
Answered: 6 Skipped: 0
ANSWER CHOICES
Yes
No
TOTAL 6
Yes
No
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
RESPONSES
APPENDIX B 102
20.00%1
20.00%1
20.00%1
20.00%1
80.00%4
Q48 What are your agency's primary cooking facilities? Check all that apply.
Answered: 5 Skipped: 1
ANSWER CHOICES
Oven
Stove
Microwave
Range top
N/A
Total Respondents: 5
Oven
Stove
Microwave
Range top
N/A
0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90% 100%
RESPONSES
APPENDIX B 103
80.00%4
20.00%1
0.00%0
60.00%3
0.00%0
Q49 Which methods does your agency use to pick up food? Check all that
apply.
Answered: 5 Skipped: 1
ANSWER CHOICES
Use agency-owned vehicles
Volunteers/staff use their own vehicles
Arrange for pick-ups with larger organizations who have their own transportation Food
is delivered to us
Not applicable, because we do not distribute food
Total Respondents: 5
Use
agency-owned...
Volunteers/staf
f use their ...
Arrange for
pick-ups wit...
Food is
delivered to us
Not
applicable,...
0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90% 100%
RESPONSES
APPENDIX B 104
80.00%4
20.00%1
0.00%0
Q50 Is the transportation available for your agency adequate?
Answered: 5 Skipped: 1
ANSWER CHOICES
Yes
No
N/A
TOTAL 5
Yes
No
N/A
0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90% 100%
RESPONSES
Q51 Please describe any transportation (including insurance) problems
that you are experiencing currently.
Answered: 3 Skipped: 3
APPENDIX B 105
0.00%0
25.00%1
25.00%1
50.00%2
25.00%1
Q52 Which of the following information would be helpful to your staff/
volunteers? Check all that apply.
Answered: 4 Skipped: 2
ANSWER CHOICES
Nutritious preparation of meals or bags
Food packages for homeless people Food
storage
Food safety
Nutrition needs of special groups Total
Respondents: 4
Nutritiouspreparation ...
Food packagesfor homeless...
Food storage
Food safety
Nutritionneeds of...
0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90% 100%
RESPONSES
Q53 What are the top 3 challenges you have experienced in providing
emergency food assistance?
Answered: 4 Skipped: 2
APPENDIX C 106
Researcher Name
First Name Last Name
Date
Month Day Year
Store Name:
Address
Street Address
Street Address Line 2
City
Country
Open
Close
Type of Store: (Choose
one)
Is this store a chain?
(There is more than one)Yes
No
Are there similar stores
located within two city
blocks?
Yes
No
If ‘yes’ please list stores:
Notes
Describe the exterior
signage: (Check one)
-
Supermarket
Large Market
Convenience Store
(Bodega, Gas Station
Market)
Drug Store
Dollar Store
Specialty Store (Butcher,
Produce, Seafood, etc.)
�
�
�
�
-
Updated, Clear and
Visible Signage
Older, but Visible
Signage
Small, Not Very Visible
Signage
No Visible Signage
Appendix C
Convenience Store Survey (CSS)
APPENDIX C 107
What type of signage is
most prominent from
outside of the store?
(Check all that apply)
Food Specials or Sales
Soda
Sports or Energy Drink
Beer or Alcohol Advertisements
Lottery
Generic Brands
Fresh Produce Organics
In what language/s does
the exterior signage
appear? (Check all that
apply)
English
Spanish
Other
If other, please list
languages
Are there signs visually
indicating that the store
accepts any of the
following? (Check all that
apply)
SNAP/Food Stamps, or EBT
WIC Vouchers
Senior
Checks
Coupons
Store Discount Card (Ex. Rewards card)
none
Describe the exterior
condition: (Check one)
Is there a trash can
nearby?Yes
No
Notes
Parking
Bike Parking
Do you see bikes locked
to sign posts or other
structures?
Yes
No
Sidewalks
Crosswalks
Notes
�
�
�
�
�
�
�
�
�
�
�
�
�
�
�
�
�
-
Very Clean, No Litter
Small Amount of Litter
Lots of Litter and
Debris�
�
-
Plenty of parking
available
Limited parking
available (Most spots are
in use)
Street parking only
No parking
-
Bike Racks available
Bike Ring available
No place to lock bikes�
�
-
Well-maintained
sidewalks leading up to
the store
Sidewalks around store
but not leading up to
store
Sidewalks near store but
not directly around store
No sidewalks around
store
-
Crosswalk directly
outside of store
Crosswalk within a
block of store
Crosswalk within two
blocks of store
No crosswalks in view
APPENDIX C 108
When you first walk into
the store, what products
are most prominently
displayed? (Check all that
apply)
Fruits and Vegetables
Soda and Sports Drinks
Juices
Milk and Dairy Products
Snacks – Chips, Candy, etc.
Breads and Cereals
Beer and/or Liquor
Bakery – Donuts, Cakes, Muffins, etc.
Cigarettes and Tobacco
In what language/s do
products appear? (Check
all that apply)
English
Spanish
None
Is alcohol sold in this
store?Yes
No
Produce Availability and Quality
0 3 or Less 4 to 9 10 or More
How many varieties of vegetables are available? (Check one)
How many varieties of fruit are available? (Check one)
Are there frozen vegetables available?
If 3 or less, list type of
produce
Very Fresh Slightly Wilted Old / Nearly Spoiled Visibly Spoiled
How would you rate the quality of the vegetables? (Check one)
How would you rate the quality of the fruit? (Check one)
Refrigerator w/ Frequent Watering Refrigerator w/ No
Watering
On Shelves In Crates or Boxes
How are fresh vegetables stored or displayed? (Check all that apply)
How are fresh fruits displayed? (Check all that apply)
Notes
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APPENDIX C 109
Fruit (per item)
In Stock? (Yes or No)Price (per lb)
Apples
Oranges
Bananas
Plantain
Protein
In Stock (Yes or No)Price
Eggs (1doz.)
Whole Chicken Breast (per lb.)
Canned Tuna
Almonds
Tofu
Black Bean (canned)
Black Bean (dried)
Is non canned seafood
available?Yes, Fresh
Yes, Frozen
No
Vegetables
In Stock (Yes or No)Price
Carrots (1 lb.)
Dark Leafy Greens
Tomatoes
Potato
Onion
Grains
In Stock (Yes or No)Price
Whole Wheat Bread (1 loaf)
White Bread (1 loaf)
Brown Rice (per oz)
White Rice (per oz)
Plain Oatmeal (18oz)
Dairy Items
In Stock (Yes or No)Price
Skim Milk (1gal.)
Whole Milk (1gal)
Cheddar Cheese (per oz)
Notes
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APPENDIX D 110
Appendix D
Glossary
ACS - American Community Survey
AMI - Acute Myocardial Infarction
BIC - Breakfast in the Classroom
BMI - Body Mass Index
BRFSS - Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey
CACFP - Child and Adult Care Food Program
CEP - Community Eligibility Provision
CFA - Community Food Assessment
CHD - Coronary Heart Disease
COA - Council on Aging
CSS - Convenience Store Survey
CVD - Cardiovascular Disease
EFP - Emergency Food Provider Survey
FDC - Farm Direct Coop
FNS - Salem Public Schools Food & Nutrition Services
HAWC - Healing Abuse, Working for Change
HIP - Healthy Incentives Program
NSES - North Shore Elder Services
NSMC - North Shore Medical Center
RFS - Resident Food Survey
SCFA - Salem Community Food Assessment
SCG - Salem Community Gardens
SFM - Salem Farmers’ Market
APPENDIX D 111
SFMNP - Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program
SFPC - Salem Food Policy Council
SNAP - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
TANF - Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
WIC - Women, Infants, and Children
APPENDIX E 112
Appendix E
Salem Food Security Resource Guide
Haven From Hunger at Citizens Inn
71 Wallis Street, Peabody, MA
Phone: 978-531-1530
Website: www.citizensinn.org/havenfromhunger
Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri 10:30-2pm
Joseph’s Storehouse
207 Highland Ave., Salem, MA 01970
Phone: 978-594-4423
Website: www.jshfoodpantry.com
Saturdays 10:00-3:00pm
Food for the World
8 North Street
Salem, MA 01970
978-683-9949
1st & 3rd Saturday of the month 10am – 12pm
Salem Pantry
211 Bridge Street, Salem, MA 01970
Phone: 978-317-3738
Website: www.thesalempantry.org
Last Saturday of the month from 9:30-11am
Salvation Army
93 North Street, Salem, MA 01970
Phone: 978-744-5181
Website: www.salvationarmyMa.org/NorthShore
Hours: Mon-Wed-Fri 9:00am-11am
Jewish Family & Children’s Service (JF&CS)
Phone: 781-647-5327
Website: www.jfcsboston.org
Food Pantries
Salvation Army
93 North Street, Salem, MA 01970
Phone: 978-744-5181
Website: www.salvationarmyMA.org/NorthShore
Tues and Thurs from 12:00pm-12:30pm
Haven From Hunger
71 Wallis Street, Peabody, MA
Phone: 978-531-1530
Website: www.havenfromhunger.org
Services: Food pantry, soup kitchen
Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri 5pm-6pm
Lifebridge
56 Margin Street, Salem, MA 01970
Phone: 978-744-0500
Website: www.lifebridgesalem.org
Hours: Breakfast - 6:30am-9am
Lunch - 12:30pm (no lunch on Tues/Thurs.)
Dinner - 6:30pm; Mon - Fri
Soup Kitchens
Food Delivery Services
North Shore Moving Market
Phone: 978-744-2532
Website: www.nsmm.org
Grocery delivery for adults aged 55 or over,
or for those with disabilities who cannot
travel to a traditional food pantry.
Meals on Wheels
Phone: 978-750-4540
Website: https://nselder.org/service-area/nutrition-
programs-for-north-shore-elders/
Meal delivery
*Please note that content is always changing. Please call contact numbers
for the most up to date information.
*Be sure to call ahead to confirm eligibility guidelines and application procedures.
APPENDIX E 113
Community Eligibility Provision (CEP)
Phone: 978-740-1230
http://salemk12.org/pages/SPS_DistFood/index
The CEP allows school districts with high poverty rates to serve breakfast and lunch at no cost to all students
without collecting household applications. This is a USDA program that is used instead of the free & reduced
lunch program in qualifying districts.
Breakfast in the Classroom (BIC)
Phone: 978-740-1230
http://salemk12.org/pages/SPS_DistFood/index
BIC helps to increase participation in the School Breakfast Program by offering breakfast after the bell in
the classroom. This is offered at Carlton Innovation School, Bentley Academy Charter School, Salem Early
Childhood Center, Nathaniel Bowditch School, Horace Mann Laboratory School, and Bates Elementary
School.
Salem Summer Meals Program
Phone: 978-740-1230
http://salemk12.org/pages/SPS_DistFood/index
Children ages 18 and younger can obtain a free meal. Breakfast, lunches and evening meals are available.
Backpack 68
Phone: 978-744-5181
Website: www.salvationarmyMA.org/NorthShore
A Salvation Army program where students at Collins Middle School are sent home with food every Friday for
their households during that
school year.
Salem BackPack Program
Phone: 978-317-3738
Website: http://thesalempantry.org/Home.html
A program of the Salem Pantry that is offered at all Salem elementary schools and provides bags of food each
Friday during the school year to children in need.
Nutrition programs specifically for Children & Teens
APPENDIX E 114
Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP)
978-744-0924 Ext 43013 call in June.
The SFMNP is a USDA program that provides low-income seniors with coupons that can be exchanged for
eligible foods at farmers’ markets. These coupons are distributed one time per year from the Salem Council
on Aging.
JF&CS Food Connection Project
978-564-0773
Free fresh produce and healthy recipes, Dietician led cooking and nutrition workshops and other food security
programs offered to residents at various Senior Housing sites in Salem.
Salem Council on Aging Lunch Program
3 Broad Street
(978) 744-0180
Lunches are available Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. Home-delivered meals are also offered to homebound
elders.
Farm Direct Coop CSA
Phone:1-877-332-3276 (1-877-FDC-FARM)
Website: http://www.farmdirectcoop.org/
Leslie’s Retreat Park, Commercial Street, rear.
Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30 pm - 7:00 pm
Salem Community Gardens
Website: http://www.salemcommunitygardens.org/
Four gardens with plots to rent in Palmer Cove Park in the Point neighborhood, Mack Park, Pickman Park and
Splaine Park. Fee to rent a plot is $30 per year.
Salem Farmers’ Market
Thursday afternoons from 3 – 7pm July - October
The Salem Farmers’ Market (SFM) at Derby Square has over 35 vendors. The SFM accepts SNAP. SNAP
participants must go to the Market Manager’s booth and receive tokens to use for SNAP purchases.
Salem Y GreenSpace
Phone: 978-744-0351
Website: https://www.northshoreymca.org/programs/salem-ymca-greenspace
Located in a former batting cage at Palmer Cove Park in the Point neighborhood, the GreenSpace garden grows
produce in raised beds built high enough to be accessible for gardeners of all ages. Donations of produce grown
in the garden are made to local families and individuals.
Nutrition programs specifically for Older Adults
Farmers Markets, Community Gardens and Coops
APPENDIX E 115
Catholic Charities North
Phone: 978-740-6923
Website: www.ccab.org/?q=location-north-boston
Hours: by appointment only
Provides emergency food gift cards to families and individuals once every four months.
Essex County Hunger Relief
Website: www.essexcountyhungerrelief.org
Services: database of food resources searchable
by town
Mass Dept. of Transitional Assistance (DTA)
North Shore Office: 35 Congress Street, Salem
Phone: 978-825-7300
800-249-2007 (application hotline)
Website: www.mass.gov/dta
Provides families with food and cash assistance.
Project Bread Food Source Hotline
Phone: 800-645-8333
Website: www.projectbread.org/get-help/foodsource-hotline.html
Hotline refers callers to emergency resources in their community in 60+ languages.
SNAP
Phone: 1-800-645-8333
Website: https://www.mass.gov/orgs/department-of-transitional-assistance
SNAP, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, is the program formerly known as food stamps. It is a
federal nutrition program that helps you stretch your food budget and buy healthy food.
Women, Infants and Children (WIC)
Phone: 978-744-8388
Website: www.wicprograms.org/state/massachusetts
Provides supplemental food and nutrition information to low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum
women.
The Salem Food Security Resource guide was created in a partnership with the Salem Food Policy Council and
Jewish Family & Children’s Service (JF&CS)
Food Resources