Food Policy Debrief’s Post

Food drives are important and help bring in an excellent variety of food to anti-hunger organizations, but they are also a LOT of work. It's important to keep this mind if you're organizing one this holiday season, to make sure you're not adding too much to the plate of your local food pantry. Read more on the Who Deserves to Eat Blog: https://lnkd.in/gQKbi5-y #whodeservestoeat #foodjustice #endhunger #fooddrive

Most people buy what they think food pantry users want, but have never asked them. If you help families, single people, foster youth and the homeless, this list can help better tailor your donations! Some tips and guidance if you donate to food pantries derived from feedback by those who use them: 1. Everyone donates Kraft Mac and Cheese in the box. They can rarely use it because it needs milk and buttr which is hard to get from regular food banks. 2. Boxed milk is a treasure, as kids need it for cereal which they also get a lot of. 3. Everyone donates pasta sauce and spaghetti noodles. 4. They cannot eat all the awesome canned veggies and soup unless you put a can opener in too or buy pop tops. 5. Oil is a luxury but needed for Rice a-Roni which they also get a lot of. 6. Spices or salt and pepper would be a real Christmas gift. 7. Tea bags and coffee make them feel like you care. 8. Sugar and flour are treats. 9. They fawn over fresh produce donated by farmers and grocery stores. 10. Seeds are cool in Spring and Summer because growng can be easy for some. 11. They rarely get fresh meat. 12. Tuna and crackers make a good lunch. 13. Hamburger Helper goes nowhere without ground beef. 14. They get lots of peanut butter and jelly but usually not sandwich bread. 15. Butter or margarine is nice too. 16. Eggs are a real commodity. 17. Cake mix and frosting makes it possible to make a child’s birthday cake. 18. Dish Soap / Dishwashing detergent is very expensive and is always appreciated. 19. Feminine hygiene products are a luxury and women will cry over that. 20. Everyone loves Stove Top Stuffing. 21. Expired food is not acceptable. Even canned food. Also, please consider donating dog and cat food. Some people have hit a temporary low point and don’t want to give up their pets but find they have to choose to feed themselves or their pets.

The first Friday of September is National Food Bank Day, where food banks accross the UK try to raise awareness , ahead of the winter months, of this much needed and relied on service for many. According to #TheTrussellTrust the below is a list of the most needed items - Food UHT milk Tinned meat (hotdogs, meatballs etc.) Tinned fish Tinned fruit Sponge/rice puddings Coffee (small jars) Long-life juice Pasta sauce Tinned veg (potatoes, carrots, green beans, tomatoes) Tinned meals (spaghetti, chicken or veg curries, chilli) Tinned soup Jam and spreads Non-food items Shower gel Shampoo/conditioner Deodorant Toilet rolls Washing up liquid Laundry detergent pods Wishing all food banks accross the UK a very productive National Food Day and the ongoing support from those that can help, accross the winter months #Nationalfoodbankday2024 #foodbanks #charity #costofliving #volunteering #foodpoverty

Case Study: Meals On Wheels We were approached last year by local charity Meals On Wheels, to develop a system to help them manage their workload more efficiently. While they had an existing system in place that tracked the orders, it didnt do what they needed, and instead their walls were covered with post-its containing the missing information they needed to remember for each customer. Our system allows them to track all their active customers and store their contact details, primary.secondary contact and dietry requirements. Staff can then issue them a menu each week, and record their meal choices in the system, Dietry requirements are matched against each dish, and any conflicts highlighted (e.g dish contains meat and customer is vegitarian). Reports can then quickly be printed to see what is to be produced each day by the kitchen, based on the orders placed. Finally, routes are created and delivery instructions printed for the drivers. Routes can be viewed on a map and edited by dragging + dropping to re-order drops to create the optimal routing. #software #softwaredevelopment #webdevelopment #food #fooddistribution #charity https://lnkd.in/eT9dbscw

As we wrap up Earth Month, take a moment to think about what happens to fresh, healthy food that doesn't get eaten following an event or other gathering. If you’re in Omaha and choosing where to eat this weekend or where to host an upcoming event, opt for a restaurant or food vendor that supports the work of Saving Grace Perishable Food Rescue. Here’s why perishable food rescue is important: 🥦 Wasted Food: In the U.S, more than 30% of food available goes unsold or uneaten. While a very small portion of this is donated to those in need, the vast majority becomes “wasted food,” going straight to the landfill. 🥕 Food Insecurity: Food insecurity is about more than experiencing hunger. People often lack access to healthy foods, such as produce, meat, fresh milk and eggs – the exact types of food that make up most of the wasted food. 🌎 The Environment: Wasted food is bad for our environment. Not only is wasted food a drain on natural and economic resources, wasted food in the landfill creates harmful greenhouse gases adding to global climate change. I’m so proud to serve on the board of Saving Grace, Omaha’s only dedicated perishable food rescue service in our community that connects local food vendors to organizations that serve people in Omaha experiencing food insecurity. Check out the full list of our food vendor partners here: https://lnkd.in/g3R3wec8 Shout out to the awesome staff and my fellow board members for their dedication to the cause! Lenli Corbett Lonnie Michael Jr. Rita Clark Beth Ostdiek Smith Thomas Hall Andrew H. Wong Jack Holmes, CFA Anna Cramer Nathan Browne Ada W. Robert Kaminski, MBA, PMP

Feeding Hope: The Role of Charities in Tackling Food Insecurity This Thanksgiving in Canada As Thanksgiving approaches on October 14, 2024, Canadians are reminded of the importance of gratitude and community. However, this holiday highlights a pressing issue for many: food insecurity. With rising living costs and economic uncertainty, many families find it challenging to provide a festive meal. This year, the spotlight is on charities stepping up to make a difference. A Growing Concern Food insecurity is not just a statistic; it's a pressing issue that affects millions of Canadians, making it difficult for individuals and families to access nutritious food. According to recent reports, one in eight households struggles with food access, exacerbated by economic challenges and inflation. As Thanksgiving symbolizes abundance and togetherness, we must urgently address this disparity and ensure everyone can partake in the holiday spirit. Charities Making an Impact This Thanksgiving, various charities across Canada are not just making efforts but making a significant impact by alleviating food insecurity. Their relentless efforts, from gathering donations to distributing food hampers and hosting community meals, are a beacon of hope. Many charities encourage Canadians to donate non-perishable food items or monetary contributions to help stock their shelves, further amplifying their impact. Engaging the Community Community members are invited to volunteer their time at food banks or organize local food drives in the spirit of giving. Schools, businesses, and families can come together to host events that raise awareness and support for those in need. Businesses, in particular, can play a significant role by organizing food drives among their employees or making monetary contributions to local food banks. Canadians can strengthen community ties by sharing resources and encouraging kindness while combating hunger. Government Support The government has recognized and prioritized the need for increased support for food security initiatives. Their commitment to programs to assist low-income families and support local food systems is vital; they are the backbone of community resilience, providing a sense of reassurance and confidence in our collective response to this issue. A Call to Action As we prepare for Thanksgiving this year, let us reflect on the values of compassion and community. By supporting charities and participating in local initiatives, we can ensure that no one is left behind during this season of gratitude. Together, we can feed hope and foster a sense of belonging for all Canadians, making this Thanksgiving a celebration of unity and kindness.

Most people buy what they think food pantry users want, but have never asked them. If you help families, single people, foster youth and the homeless, this list can help better tailor your donations! Some tips and guidance if you donate to food pantries derived from feedback by those who use them: 1. Everyone donates Kraft Mac and Cheese in the box. They can rarely use it because it needs milk and buttr which is hard to get from regular food banks. 2. Boxed milk is a treasure, as kids need it for cereal which they also get a lot of. 3. Everyone donates pasta sauce and spaghetti noodles. 4. They cannot eat all the awesome canned veggies and soup unless you put a can opener in too or buy pop tops. 5. Oil is a luxury but needed for Rice a-Roni which they also get a lot of. 6. Spices or salt and pepper would be a real Christmas gift. 7. Tea bags and coffee make them feel like you care. 8. Sugar and flour are treats. 9. They fawn over fresh produce donated by farmers and grocery stores. 10. Seeds are cool in Spring and Summer because growng can be easy for some. 11. They rarely get fresh meat. 12. Tuna and crackers make a good lunch. 13. Hamburger Helper goes nowhere without ground beef. 14. They get lots of peanut butter and jelly but usually not sandwich bread. 15. Butter or margarine is nice too. 16. Eggs are a real commodity. 17. Cake mix and frosting makes it possible to make a child’s birthday cake. 18. Dish Soap / Dishwashing detergent is very expensive and is always appreciated. 19. Feminine hygiene products are a luxury and women will cry over that. 20. Everyone loves Stove Top Stuffing. Also, please consider donating dog and cat food. Some people have hit a temporary low point and don’t want to give up their pets but find they have to choose to feed themselves or their pets.

We work with many non-profits that in some form handle or distribute food, which can pose a significant risk of contamination making them liable. Learn 6 food safety best practices below 👇 https://lnkd.in/gx42CEnh

Food recalls suck for anyone with having reduced options at the grocery store and needing to be concerned about your family's health and safety. Food recalls suck even more for us as it means that it can reduce our already limited inventory and require staff to be creative when assessing how to ensure our guests still get all the food they need. There's a trickle down effect that can greatly impact us but we will always value the safety of food that we provide our guests. Read the rest of the article here: https://lnkd.in/gqGT4ZbK #community #impact #expertise #nonprofit

From Marie Feazell: If you are planning on helping families at a food bank this season, things you probably don’t know. 1. Everyone donates Kraft Mac and Cheese in the box. They can rarely use it because it needs milk and butter which is hard to get from regular food banks. 2. Boxed milk is a treasure, as kids need it for cereal which they also get a lot of. 3. Everyone donates pasta sauce and spaghetti noodles. 4. They cannot eat all the awesome canned veggies and soup unless you put a can opener in too or buy pop tops. 5. Oil is a luxury but needed for Rice a-Roni which they also get a lot of. 6. Spices or salt and pepper would be a real Christmas gift. 7. Tea bags and coffee make them feel like you care. 8. Sugar and flour are treats. 9. They fawn over fresh produce donated by farmers and grocery stores. 10. Seeds are cool in Spring and Summer because growing can be easy for some. 11. They rarely get fresh meat. 12. Tuna and crackers make a good lunch. 13. Hamburger Helper goes nowhere without ground beef. 14. They get lots of peanut butter and jelly but usually not sandwich bread. 15. Butter or margarine is nice too. 16. Eggs are a real commodity. 17. Cake mix and frosting makes it possible to make a child’s birthday cake. 18. Dishwashing detergent is very expensive and is always appreciated. 19. Feminine hygiene products are a luxury and women will cry over that. 20. Everyone loves Stove Top Stuffing. In all the years I have donated food at the Holidays, I bought what I thought they wanted but have never asked. I am glad I did. If you are helping a Family this Christmas, maybe this can help you tailor it more. It does for me! Credit goes to the original author. #foodbanks #food #donate #fooddonations