SALEM — Salem’s Root program recently hosted its 6th annual “Rooted in Community” celebration at New Entry Farm in Beverly where more than 200 supporters attended to highlight Root’s youth training and employment programs; its youth-powered initiative to address area food insecurity; and to recognize North Shore restaurant partners who share in its mission.
Through an emphasis on food service training and life-skills development, Root has built a culinary job training program, award-winning youth employment enterprises (Root Café, Catering by Root, and the HarborPoint event space), and recently launched a new
initiative to help address area food insecurity through youth-driven community catering.
Since 2017, 151 young adults have graduated from Root’s culinary job training program and created more than 25 transitional employment opportunities for youth with barriers to success.
Throughout the pandemic, Root’s youth employees have prepared more than 55,000
meals for those in need in Essex County.
“We saw a chance to use our resources to expand employment opportunities for our youth while joining the broader movement to address food insecurity,” said Root Executive Director Scott Knox. “Each week, our youth employees produce more than 500 healthy, scratch-made meals for seniors, families, and children here in Essex County.”
Several graduates, now employed by Root, helped prepare the meal for the celebration and were onsite to greet guests, including Root graduate Fernando, who is an 11th grade student at Lynn English High School.
“The skills taught at Root are absolutely needed in your life,” said Fernando. “Root was huge in teaching financial skills, but it also taught me customer service and hospitality. It taught skills that also applied to the outside world, like dealing with people and trying to be a caring person.”
During the celebration, Root’s 2022 Community Leadership Award was given to honorary chef chairs representing the North Shore restaurant industry including Nancy Bastisa-Caswell of Brine in Newburyport; Sa Nguyen, of Soall Viet Kitchen in Beverly and Marblehead; Andy and Jackie King A&J King Artisan Bakers in Salem; and Aaron Chambers from Settler in Salem.
This award was created to recognize an “exceptional individual or organization that exemplifies and amplifies Root’s mission of expanding opportunities for young people.”
Root Founder Jennifer Eddy said that through it all, Root’s restaurant partners have been with them from day one and they can’t thank them enough.
“They provide internships that not only offer our youth real-life experience, but also the mentoring that gives them the confidence that they need to take that next step,” Eddy said. “There has also been incredible resiliency in the industry, and a deep commitment to our local communities throughout the pandemic when many restaurants stepped up to feed the frontlines. We want to recognize that perseverance and dedication of our partners.”
Past award recipients include businessman and philanthropist Steve Dodge, Salem Schools’ Nutrition Director Deb Jeffers, Mayor Kim Driscoll, and the Essex County Community Foundation.
Chris Comparato, CEO of Toast, attended the event and said that restaurants are the fabric of communities, as they are the places where people gather with friends and family to celebrate special occasions or to simply “enjoy one of life’s pleasures.”
“For some it’s where we find our first formative jobs. For others it’s where passion is found and careers are made,” Comparato said. “For the nourishment they provide, to our bodies and to our souls, it’s important to recognize our restaurants and to support them in return, in every way that we can.”
Allysha Dunnigan can be reached at [email protected].
