Sacred Heart pantry receives recognition for commitment to distributing healthy food

MIDDLEBORO — The Sacred Heart Food Pantry has been recognized as a 2025 Healthy Pantry by The Greater Boston Food Bank for its commitment to nutrition, client dignity, and evidence-based pantry practices.

As a 2025 Healthy Pantry, the pantry is part of the inaugural group of partners helping to set a new standard for nutrition and client-centered service across the GBFB network.

In recent months, representatives from the food bank visited Sacred Heart Food Pantry and surveyed individual clients regarding their food choices and their experiences at the Pantry.

The results of these interviews lead to the award.

“We strive to provide our neighbors as much nutrition as possible”, said Pantry Director David Cunningham. 

He said in the near future, they will be initiating the Supporting Wellness At Pantries Program. The program ranks foods as to the saturated fat, sodium and sugar content of the item. Shelves will be labeled indicating which foods are healthier or less healthy.

Pantry shoppers can register for the Easter Meals when they do their March shopping.

Meal boxes will be distributed on Tuesday, March 31 from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm and from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Any residents of the towns of Middleboro, Lakeville, Freetown or Carver are eligible to use the services of the Sacred Heart Food Pantry. 

Each family or individual can shop once each calendar month for a full grocery cart including frozen meats, fresh and frozen vegetables, cereals, canned foods and more. 

The pantry asks that first time users arrive at least 30 minutes prior to closing so that they can get clients registered in time for them to shop that day. 

Normal pantry hours are on the first and third Wednesdays from 8:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., second and fourth Wednesdays from 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and the Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. 

When there are five Wednesdays or Saturdays in a given month, the Pantry is closed on the fifth day.