Niki Lankowski prepares to lead Manna Community Kitchen as new director

NORTHAMPTON — At Edwards Church on Friday, Niki Lankowski was on hand with several volunteers from Manna Community Kitchen, helping serve meals of squash curry, rice and cinnamon churros. It was just Lankowski’s third day on the job as being Manna’s new executive director, but she said she already seemed to be adjusting quite well.

“Everyone here has been so welcoming to me, and so warm,” Lankowski said. “I’m just absorbing, learning and getting into it.”

Lankowski is certainly no stranger to serving the community in Northampton, or to the importance of food. Lankowski formerly managed the city’s Tuesday farmer’s market, overseeing weekly operations, coordinating farmers and expanding the market’s SNAP Match program in service to needy families.

Later, Lankowski worked as the communications manager for Grow Food Northampton, the organization that runs the Tuesday market, leading the group’s public initiatives, developing fundraising campaigns and helping with strategic planning.

“I’ve always kind of gravitated towards work around food, and once I did that, then that opens up the world of food access,” Lankowski said in an interview. “The local food that many of us enjoy is not accessible to everyone.”

Now, Lankowski prepares to step into the role as the director for Manna, a nonprofit dedicated to providing nutritious and high-quality meals to members of the community who otherwise may not be able to afford it. Unlike in a commercial kitchen, Manna is more limited in what they can afford to make, with food provided entirely by donations from places like Smith College, local retail shops and community gardens.

Lankowski knows she has big shoes to fill in the executive director for Manna, a role that was last held permanently by Lee Anderson, who departed a year ago after serving for eight years. Under Anderson, Manna ramped up its efforts and began to produce 300 to 325 meals a day, both for in-person and delivery service. Anderson’s efforts led him to being named the Daily Hampshire Gazette’s Person of the Year in 2024.

“He was a charismatic leader who made delicious food,” Lankowski said. “Just from living in this area for a long time and from knowing about Manna, it’s always been a beloved institution.”

But Lankowski said that she is confident that working with Manna’s current team and kitchen staff that they will be able to continue the organization’s mission, as it heads into its 40th year of operation in 2026. Lankowski also highlighted that beyond food, Manna also offered a space in St. John’s Church where residents could come to receive mental health care, connected with services and receive fresh clothes.

“I’m really excited to pump up that side of Manna and have people know a bit more about that,” Lankowski said. “The meals get people in the door, but the community center side helps to deal with some other issues that they may be having right now, because a lot of people here are struggling.”

Karen McAmis, the board president for Manna, also endorsed Lankowski in a statement put out by the organization.

“We are entering a new chapter at Manna, and Niki brings the exact combination of vision,
experience, and heart that will guide us forward,” McAmis statement. “Her local connections, her proven leadership in equitable food access, and her hands-on approach to community partnership make her an exceptional fit for this role.”

Lankowski added that her current priorities for Manna was preparing for the organization’s annual Christmas Eve community dinner, as well as preparing special events for the organization’s 40th anniversary next year.

“I think that gives us a real chance for us to get out there and spread the word,” Lankowski said.

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