Salem's Mack Park Farm Project Awarded $45K Grant

SALEM, MA — The Mack Park Farm & Food Forest — a project to rehabilitate an overgrown portion of the park for a farmer's market and grow produce for distribution through the Salem Food Pantry — got a nice boost from a $45,000 grant this week.

The city said the grant will be used to construct a solar-powered storage building and water system to help with irrigation.

The project is designed to turn the area of the park into a "vibrant recreational space where all residents will have the opportunity to enjoy the food forest, weekly farmers' markets and volunteer."

The grant is through the Metropolitan Area Planning Council's Accelerating Climate Resiliency Grant Program.

"This green energy project will help us grow more green produce and save money while doing so," Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll said. "Thanks to all the volunteers and the staff who work in tandem to grow and distribute fresh produce directly to those in need in our community.

"The Mack Park Farm is truly a success story and one more example of how our city has come together to support one another and make sure Salem works for everyone."

The Mack Park project with work with the Salem Pantry to distribute the fresh produce directly to low-income neighborhoods, public housing sites, senior housing and public schools.

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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.)