Essex Tech Food Truck To Serve Peabody, Salem Residents

DANVERS, MA — An Essex Tech food truck will bring fresh, healthy local food to residents of Peabody and Salem in need through a $130,000 state grant linked to food security in the district.

Superintendent of Schools Heidi Riccio said the school will use the grant for a food truck, materials and supplies that will serve "high numbers of low-income census track populations."

"No one should go hungry," Riccio said. "About 14 percent of adults and 21 percent of children in Essex County face some form of food insecurity. Food insecurity isn’t just about poverty. Low wages, health issues, high medical costs and social isolation are contributing factors.

"COVID-19 has exacerbated those issues. The district will do whatever it can to help those in need."

The school said its horticulture program and greenhouses will support the food truck effort. Riccio said the school plans to bring food to local farmers' markets during the summer and fall with hopes to extend the program year-round through a partnership at Tufts University.

The plan is to start the program in July, pending the delivery of the truck.

Patch has partnered with Feeding America to help raise awareness on behalf of the millions of Americans facing hunger. Feeding America, which supports 200 food banks across the country, estimates that in 2020, more than 54 million Americans did not have enough nutritious food to eat due to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.

This is a Patch social good project; Feeding America receives 100 percent of donations. Find out how you can donate in your community or find a food pantry near you.

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(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)