SALEM — Local officials and other partners gathered at Salem State University Wednesday to celebrate the opening of the Feed a Viking Market, which transforms the university’s student food pantry from a small, limited space into a larger retail-style environment where students can access food, toiletries, hygiene products and other basic necessities at no cost.
The new market is located on the ground floor of the Frederick Berry Library and Learning Commons, and comes as recent survey data underscores the extent of food insecurity among Salem State students. The university said that according to a spring 2026 health assessment, 49.2% of students surveyed reported their food did not last, and they could not afford more, while 50.5% reported they couldn’t afford balanced meals. Nearly one in four, 24.5%, reported being hungry but not eating because they lacked money.
“Food insecurity is not someone else’s challenge,” Salem State President John Keenan said at a ribbon-cutting ceremony Wednesday night. “When even one student struggles to meet a basic need, it can have an impact on their health, learning, sense of belonging, and ability to achieve their goals.
“This market represents our commitment to ensuring that every student has the support they need to thrive. Our students are at the center of everything we do, and meeting them where they are is essential to their success.”
The market replaces the university’s previous pantry space, which operated from a small room with cabinets and a microwave in the Ellison Campus Center. The larger market allows students to select from shelves stocked with dry, microwavable and cookable foods, including items that can be prepared easily in a residence hall or at home. The space also offers toiletries and personal hygiene products and has capacity for other basic necessities, including seasonal items such as winter hats and gloves.
The Feed a Viking name reflects student input aimed at creating a more welcoming and dignified experience for students accessing food assistance. Students recommended moving away from traditional food pantry terminology toward a retail-style market identity intended to reduce stigma.
“Dignity is at the heart of this market,” said Ian Wong, director of Student Wellness CARE at Salem State. “When students walk into the market, we want them to feel like they’re shopping, not asking for help. That shift in experience matters just as much as the food on the shelves. It tells students they belong and matter here, and that using this resource is part of a caring community.”
During fiscal year 2026, Salem State recorded 1,844 visits to its student food pantry and another 3,033 visits to the Salem Pantry Mobile Market, which visits campus throughout the year. Both figures are based on Clipper Card taps collected when individuals accessed the resources.
“At Salem State University, one of our core institutional values is ‘belonging,’” Keenan said Wednesday. “Living our value of ‘belonging’ means ensuring that every student feels supported, valued and able to fully participate in campus life, including those facing economic hardship or food insecurity. We know that food security directly impacts student success, and no student should be forced to choose between buying food or paying for other basic needs.”
Salem State celebrated the opening of the market with a ribbon-cutting ceremony that brought together students, faculty, staff, alumni, donors, community partners and elected officials. The event also recognized the community support and partnerships that have helped sustain Salem State’s efforts to address food insecurity.