Healthy Chelsea / Chelsea Hunger Network Micro Pantry Project: Community assisting Community

Given the consistent rise in demand for emergency food, Healthy Chelsea / Chelsea Hunger Network studied optional resources beyond the Chelsea’s pantries.  We determined that the creation of Micro Pantries that function like Little Free Libraries, dispersed in high-need neighborhoods would provide 24/7 assistance with shelf-stable food and personal hygiene items.  A pilot program at Temple Emmanuel was launched at the end of 2021.  Six more were added throughout 2022, in partnership with the Chelsea Department of Public Works.  Each micro pantry has a host that is responsible for its maintenance.

The Chelsea Micro Pantry Hosts:

Healthy Chelsea / Chelsea Hunger Network Food Assistance

in March of 2020, The Healthy Chelsea / Chelsea Hunger Network became the platform for the City’s Pandemic Food Response Team.  Meeting daily in the initial months of the pandemic, over 20 community organizations and residents convened daily to organize to coordinate logistics, problem solve and brainstorm solutions to maximize food access for all Chelsea residents. Participants include emergency food providers, direct and indirect service providers, community organizations, school personnel, and residents.

When systems were in place, the meeting moved to 3 times per week and eventually weekly until the present.

The partners:

  • CAPIC & CAPIC Head Start
  • Chelsea Community Connections
  • Chelsea Congregational Church
  • Greater Boston Food Bank
  • GreenRoots
  • Healthy Chelsea
  • La Colaborativa
  • MGH Food for Families
  • Revival International Center
  • The Salvation Army
  • Luke’s Episcopal Church
  • The Neighborhood Developers
  • Chelsea Revere WIC
  • SELAH Resource Center
  • Temple Emmanuel
  • Residents

Free Chelsea Food Resource Guide / Guía Gratuita de Recursos Alimentarios

Addressing Food Insecurity and Access to Healthy Food

In March 2018, Healthy Chelsea and the Chelsea Hunger Network organized the Chelsea Healthy and Affordable Food (CHAF) Summit, inviting community leaders and institutions from within and outside of the city to address food insecurity and access to healthy food in Chelsea. The half day event brought together 70 people to learn about the city’s socio-economic and food relief situation, interact with a panel presenting diverse options, participate in round-table discussions to delve into causes and possible solutions and to network. This summit represents the first step in bringing about sustainable change to these issues. Subcommittees are now being formed to work on creating new resources, partnerships and solutions.

Working with Local Business

Healthy Chelsea staff worked with local corner store owners, through the “corner store project,” providing guidance and display items such as baskets and refrigerators, so that fresh fruits and vegetables are more appealingly displayed at the front of the stores, thereby increasing healthier purchases.

Healthy Chelsea, through our membership, helps to promote local farmers’ markets and incentives for WIC recipients.

Instituting a Trans Fat Ban

Chelsea instituted a 100% trans-fat ban in 2013. We were the first city in the country to institute this most progressive trans-fat ban. All other cities that had implemented a ban had allowed for trace amounts of artificial trans-fat in food, but Chelsea prohibited it completely.

We also worked with restaurant chains such as McDonalds, Burger King and Dunkin’ Donuts to ensure their adherence to the ban.