Community Servings’ Foodservice Job Training Program is New Takeout Option

Jamaica Plain nonprofit Community Servings' new foodservice job training program is a new takeout option offering seasonally-inspired entrees, soups, sides, and bakery items from scratch. Launched in July, Community Servings' Teaching Kitchen (TK), is a free, 12-week foodservice job training program for people facing significant barriers to employment, according to a press release. The meals are then available to purchase at Community Servings' campus at 179 Amory St. Program participants are trained by chef culinary instructor Eric Spitz, who works with trainees to prepare food, and formulate menus to introduce them to new foods, spices, and cooking techniques. Next week's menu features dishes like barbecue brisket with collards and baby potatoes, chicken cacciatore with mushroom risotto and broccoli, vegetarian hot and sour soup, kimchi cold noodle salad, and more. 

The program also sources fresh ingredients from local food partners.

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JP Nonprofit Community Servings to Open Satellite Meal Distribution Center

Community Servings, a Jamaica Plain-based nonprofit provider of medically tailored meals and nutrition services, and a leader in “food is medicine” research, advocacy and policy, recently announced plans for a satellite distribution center in Mansfield. At the new distribution center, Community Servings will be able to efficiently reposition and expand meal packaging and delivery operations serving critically and chronically ill clients throughout the region south and west of Boston. Community Servings has finalized a long-term lease agreement for a 23,000-square-foot warehouse building in the Cabot Business Park located near the junction of interstates 95 and 495. The interior space will be renovated to accommodate Community Servings’ mission and is expected to begin operating this fall. “This new satellite location will enable us to more easily reach the individuals who depend on our nutritious meals through a more efficient packaging, shipping and delivery network,” said David B. Waters, CEO of Community Servings.

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Community Servings Names MacPhee as Executive Chef

Community Servings, a nonprofit provider of medically tailored meals and nutrition services, and a leader in “food is medicine” research, advocacy and policy, has appointed Dianna MacPhee as its new executive chef. MacPhee has more than two decades of experience as an executive chef in a variety of culinary settings, including fine dining, boutique retail, country clubs, airport dining and educational food service. As someone living with psoriatic arthritis, she also personally identifies with the Jamaica Plain-based nonprofit's mission and understands the powerful connection between food and health. “While certain foods can inflame my condition, I am fortunate to have consistent access to fresh, healthy foods and a care team to help keep me on track,” said MacPhee. “Unfortunately, too many people in our community don’t have those resources to manage their illness – but Community Servings is working hard to change that.

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Congresswoman Pressley Celebrates Community Servings’ 11th Million Meal Milestone

Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley recently visited Community Servings to celebrate the Jamaica Plain nonprofit's 11th million meal served. “This is a unique model that meets the needs of individuals who are vulnerable and isolated, those that are terminally or chronically ill, that shows that food is also medicine. The fact that they have 100 volunteers a day helping at Community Servings is really a testament to just how many people care,” said Pressley after visiting on Sept. 8. “Community Servings is celebrating our 11 millionth meal, which we prepared from scratch in our kitchens in Jamaica Plain.

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Community Servings Appoints New Chief Financial Officer

Community Servings, a Jamaica Plain nonprofit provider of medically tailored meals and nutrition services and a leader in “food is medicine” research, advocacy and policy, announced the appointment of Silifa Wallace, CPA, MBA as Chief Financial Officer. Wallace, who most recently served as the Chief Audit Executive for Boston University, brings more than two decades of experience in internal audit management, financial reporting, accounting and risk management to Community Servings. “Silifa assumes a very important position on our executive team, particularly as we continue to grow our mission and expand our relationships with payers and other health care partners,” said David B. Waters, CEO of Community Servings. “Her experience will be a tremendous asset as she oversees our stellar team of finance professionals.”

Prior to joining Community Servings, Wallace served as the Associate Vice President for Internal Audit & Advisory Services at Boston University, providing guidance on risk and audit issues to the Board of Trustees and senior leadership. Previously at BU, she oversaw a team as Director of Clinical Finance for the Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine.

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20 Vendors Each Week! Sustainability-Focused Egleston Farmers Market Every Saturday

The Egleston Farmers Market is back at a new location, and with a focus on sustainability. The market is taking place in the Community Servings parking lot (179 Amory St.), just around the corner from the Stony Brook T station. The market is being organized by local sustainability organization Mendi, which was started in 2018 by designer/researcher Will DeConto and event organizer Caitlin Kenney. "Mendi’s Boston fights 'throw-away' consumerism and fast fashion by helping people invest in what they have and redistributing our community’s excess through our events, workshops, and publications," said a press release. "Our Style Revival events have repaired, upcycled or redistributed over 5,000 units of unused clothing within our community so far - over 1,500 of those went to non-profits helping Boston’s homeless or people in need."

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Community Servings Grows Food & Health Policy Program With Grant From Alletess Medical

Community Servings, a Jamaica Plain-based nonprofit provider of medically tailored meals and nutrition services and a leader in “food is medicine” research, advocacy and policy, today announced an expansion of its Food & Health Policy Program resulting from a grant from Alletess Medical Laboratory. The Rockland-based company recently contributed $75,000 in funding that has supported staff positions dedicated to policy work, coaching and technical assistance as part of the Food is Medicine Coalition’s Accelerator, and the advancement of research and policy initiatives at the state and federal levels. “Alletess Medical Laboratory is an important new partner to our organization and we are grateful for their generous contribution,” said David B. Waters, CEO of Community Servings. “Our Food & Health Policy team is hard at work on ways to expand access to medically tailored meals, not only in Massachusetts but nationwide, and to accelerate the adoption of this life-saving intervention more broadly in health care.”

Alletess Medical Laboratory has been a leader in the field of allergy and immunology testing since 1980. The company has also supported Community Servings by sending groups of volunteers to help the kitchen team prepare meals that are delivered to chronically and critically ill people throughout Massachusetts.

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Community Servings’ Meals4Moms Fundraiser Benefits Mothers in Need

Community Servings, a Jamaica Plain nonprofit provider of medically tailored meals and nutrition services to individuals and families in Massachusetts experiencing critical and chronic illnesses, is holding its annual Mother’s Day fundraiser, Meals4Moms, in partnership with McCrea’s Candies of Boston. Gift givers can send mom a box of handcrafted caramels – available in two sizes, 40 pieces for $65 or 80 pieces for $95 – with a Lake Champlain chocolate heart nestled within the box. Each purchase is a donation that will support a local mom with the nutritious food they need to maintain and improve their health. The gift includes a card designed by local artist Susy Pilgrim Waters inscribed with a personalized message. Supporters can also choose to send just a card for a $30 donation.

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Urgent Need for Kitchen Volunteers at JP’s Community Servings

Kitchen volunteers are urgently needed at Community Servings to help the Jamaica Plain nonprofit’s professional kitchen staff prepare and package 18,000 medically tailored meals that are delivered weekly to critically and chronically ill individuals across the region. While Community Servings operates one of Boston’s largest volunteer programs, the current COVID-19 surge has pushed January volunteer numbers to low levels. Demand for the nonprofit’s nutritious, life-saving meals has increased by over 80% since the pandemic began. “Volunteers have been at the heart of our mission since we began, essential to ensuring that we can feed our neighbors in need and help maintain their health,” said David B. Waters, CEO of Community Servings. “Given the effects of this pandemic surge, we are making a plea for anyone with a few hours to lend a helping hand in our kitchen.”

Volunteers help peel and chop vegetables; portion soups, stews and salads; and pack weekly meal bags for clients living with HIV/AIDS, cancer, diabetes and heart disease, among other illnesses.

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