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Press Release: Expanded Foor Relief for Afghan Refugees

Open Table Expands Food Relief for Afghan Refugees with Prepared Meals and Weekly Food Boxes

Kitchen leverages halal meats and native spices to develop Afghan-inspired recipes

Concord and Maynard, MA (January 28, 2022) – Open Table, the Concord and Maynard charity dedicated to fighting hunger and building healthy communities, continues to service the food needs of Afghan refugees currently sheltered in Lowell in partnership with International Institute of New England (IINE). Leveraging its mobile delivery capabilities, Open Table provides between 1600 and 2000 pounds of food each week to IINE, which then distributes it to the refugees.

More than 160 Afghan people are currently benefitting from Open Table’s “Afghan Box,” Which is packed with culturally relevant foods that they can cook themselves as well as prepared frozen meals that are easy to reheat in a hotel microwave. Open Table sources staples, such as canned tomatoes, beans and shelf-stable milk from the Greater Boston Food Bank. These are supplemented with specialty items, such as rice, beans, yogurt, feta cheese and pita breads, which are sourced in bulk from local restaurant suppliers. Comfort foods, such as spices, dried nuts and fruits, are harder to come by.

IINE has placed Afghan refugees in temporary housing in Lowell and requests support to provide meals. As a regional food relief organization, Open Table has stepped in to fill this need until all the Afghan families are resettled. At that point, the families will be connected to local food relief organizations and also to SNAP. 

Open Table chef Ellen Green has had to research Afghan cuisine to come up with new ideas for the frozen meals. Each week, Green comes up with a new recipe and then works with the Open Table kitchen team to make as many as 44 frozen meals for distribution. Her creations have included herbed fish with yogurt sauce over spiced rice and a chicken korma dish with a yogurt sauce.

“We are now getting halal meat, either whole chicken pieces or ground beef, which can be the base for a balanced meal,” said Open Table chef Ellen Green. “I’m reading cooking blogs from the Afghan diaspora and researching food from nearby countries that share food with them to develop these recipes. The fact that they placed another order tells me that our efforts went over OK with the Afghan refugees.” Open Table has received generous donations from the Greater Lowell Community Foundation and Oxfam International to help fund this program. But food donations are always welcome.

Volunteer packing Afghan starter box
Open Table volunteer packs boxes with foods culturally appropriate for Afghan refugees, such as spices, rice and loose tea as well as baking supplies

For a full list of food desired for the Afghan refugees, visit: https://www.opentable.org/donate-groceries/#afghan-foods

Groceries and supplies can be left at 33 Main Street, Maynard, or 40 Beharrell Street, Concord donation bins 24/7 or at any of our community drop-off partner locations during their regular business hours.

About International Institute of New England

For more than 100 years, the International Institute of New England has helped refugees and immigrants realize their dreams and contribute to New England’s growth and prosperity. IINE anticipates welcoming more than 700 persecuted people to Massachusetts and New Hampshire in the next 12 months, including at least 500 Afghan evacuees. These individuals will need case management, direct financial support, English language training, and more.