Nourish Nantucket and the Nantucket Land Bank just announced a big win for food security on the island. They’ve bought a property on Boynton Lane that will house the Nantucket Food Pantry and other food programs. This purchase ends months of uncertainty for the Food Pantry’s future.
The new location allows the Food Pantry to grow and provides a permanent hub for Nourish Nantucket. It also includes space for deer processing, which helps manage the island’s large deer population while providing food to those in need.
Brooke Mohr, president of Nourish Nantucket, described the purchase as a “game-changer,” highlighting the strong collaboration between the two organizations. Meals on wheels, grocery cards, and other programs are set to expand from this central location, less than a tenth of a mile from a bus stop.
The Land Bank invested $5.5 million into the property, with the goal of using part of the space for processing donated venison. This aligns with their mission to find new agricultural uses for land already owned. Rachael Freeman, executive director of the Land Bank, emphasized the importance of creating local facilities, especially as deer numbers rise. Currently, there are roughly 10,000 deer on the island—significantly above the healthy limit of 900.
Addressing deer overpopulation is critical, as these animals can damage local ecosystems and pose risks to drivers. The new facility aims to support the Hunters Share the Harvest program, potentially providing up to 75,000 meals each year to island residents.
The Food Pantry itself has a rich history, dating back to 1991. It was struggling to find a new site after losing its previous lease, but this new building’s design includes a commercial kitchen, creating an ideal environment for food aid work.
Though the property still needs permits before everything is fully operational, both Nourish Nantucket and the Land Bank are eager to fast-track this process. As they work together, they aim to create a comprehensive food security network that can better serve all islanders.
This new partnership not only addresses immediate food needs but also sets a precedent for how land can be used on Nantucket in the future. For more details about similar initiatives, you can check out this report from MassWildlife.
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