Root’s Community Catering Initiative

In March 2020, Root launched our Community Catering initiative as an emergency response to help address Covid-related hunger relief efforts in Essex County. This mission-enhanced work continues today. Each week, a team of Root youth alumni employees produces 500+ meals for those struggling with food insecurity and for clients served by Lifebridge, Salem Food Pantry, Beverly Bootstraps, Plummer Youth Promise, My Brother's Table, Acord Food Pantry, and many more area human service agencies. 

Behind the thousands of meals delivered to those in-need are thousands of above-minimum wage employment and additional training hours for Root alumni. Following, supporters and champions have stepped up to support employment for young adults with barriers to success AND provide critical meals to help address Essex County food insecurity.

Root's Community Catering relies on strong collaboration with our recipient agencies and innovative partnerships with area farms. This fall, we are proud to collaborate with Three Sisters in Ipswich and Acord Food Pantry in Hamilton to pilot an innovative crockpot meal kit program. Using produce grown by Three Sisters, Root's kitchen team creates a weekly crockpot meal-kit that contains pre-measured seasoning, protein, chopped vegetables, and stock with simple instructions that allow individuals and families to make a warm, nutritious meal. Through a private donation, 33 Acord clients and families were given crockpots and are participating in this program, which runs through November.

Join Us in Feeding Community!

If you are interested in supporting this work, please consider a gift to Root  or volunteering
with Root to assist with deliveries. You will make a measurable difference in helping feed
our community!

Please contact Faith Emerson to learn more about volunteering to support community
meal delivery: femerson@rootns.org.