June 24, 2024
Photo Credits: FARSB
Food Banks like Feeding America Riverside | San Bernardino (FARSB), are on the forefront against food insecurity and hunger for their surrounding communities, and hundreds of community partners are part of this network to feed people in need. This is a great community with the end goal of alleviating food insecurity, but even then, we see gaps in the system that make it clear that there is still work to be done.
While food banks play a crucial role in addressing food insecurity, the system doesn't always function as effectively as it should. Here are some ways food banks falter and how we, FARSB, aim to fix those issues.
Food Waste
When donations are headed to the warehouse, weather conditions and logistics can impact delivery times. Excessive heat, heavy rain, or high winds can make it unsafe for drivers, delaying food deliveries and increasing the risk of food waste.
We accept food close to its sell-by date, as many items remain safe to consume beyond that point. However, improper storage can lead to spoilage, even for long-lasting items. Additionally, items meant to be packaged together but donated separately may contribute to food waste, as we cannot accept them without proper manufacturing dates.
Poor Nutrition
Donations from local grocery stores contribute significantly to the food supply at many food banks. While these shelf-stable items often have longer expiration dates and are welcomed, they tend to be less nutritious due to the need for extended shelf life.
Recipients looking for nutritious food like fresh meat and produce will sometimes have to settle for snack foods like chips, soda, and carbonated fruit drinks over healthier options. There are also health issues that are affected directly by diets, which can have ramifications later on in life for the individual. While any food is better than none, food banks often struggle to provide the most nutritious meals when donations fall short of nutritional value or when funding is insufficient to purchase healthier options.
Lack of Variety
Food donations reflect what’s available, not always what’s most needed. For example, receiving a large donation of a single item, like multiple pallets of pasta, still leaves a gap if essential items like vegetables and sauce aren’t available to create a complete meal. Without those additional items, the donation's impact is less effective than intended.
Similarly, when multiple donations from different sources offer the same product, it can lead to less interest, as people may not want to receive too much of the same item. A variety of foods is essential for sustainable, healthy meals, and a lack of variety can sometimes be a challenge.
Lack of Choice in the Matter
An often overlooked challenge is the lack of choice for recipients. Unlike grocery shopping, where individuals can select what they need for their families, food donations come as pre-selected items, limiting their options. This lack of choice can diminish recipients' sense of autonomy.
How We Do Better
Addressing Food Waste
Food waste occurs for many reasons, but our goal is to minimize it. We achieve this through our Retail Rescue Program, which reduces food waste by allowing our partners to collect food directly from stores when it’s nearing its sell-by date or, in the case of produce, is less visually appealing to customers. This approach ensures that perishable items that might otherwise end up in landfills are consumed instead of discarded.
FARSB maximizes the abundance of produce grown in Inland Empire neighborhoods by offering volunteer gleaning opportunities. Volunteers collect excess fruits and vegetables from local farmers, farmers' markets, and other neighborhood sources with surplus. These donations are then distributed to our community partner pantries and used in our distribution efforts.
Nutritious Needs
Nutritious foods are essential for the well-being of both children and adults, and FARSB is dedicated to providing better options for those in need. We're committed to offering a balanced selection of healthy choices, rather than relying on high-calorie, low-nutrition foods. So, we offer virtual food drives that allow FARSB to curate a variety of items for donors to choose from, including produce, providing a healthier alternative to traditional donations.
Partner Pick-Up & Floor Shopping
Our partners know what their communities need, and their ability to choose what they will take keeps waste from accumulating and ensures they have the space for all the items they receive. Partners can order items online through our inventory system or come in for floor shopping appointments for fresh produce and meats, they then pick up the items to distribute through their pantry.
This system takes a huge step forward in allowing partners to get what they need and takes into account the religious beliefs and dietary restrictions that their particular community has.
Having a Choice
Recipients often have no say in what they receive, which can impact their self-esteem and fail to meet specific dietary needs. FARSB's upcoming Fresh Start Pantry by Goodman addresses this by allowing individuals to shop for emergency assistance groceries in a welcoming, familiar setting. The food is free, empowering clients to make their own choices. The pantry is currently under construction and is scheduled to open in early 2025.
Wrap-Up
While we make significant contributions to our community, we are committed to addressing any challenges to maximize our impact. Addressing these real-world concerns can help us do better for our community members and the environment and ensure that all our efforts are going toward feeding our community.
Support FARSB’s ongoing work by becoming a monthly donor. Just $5 a month helps provide 25 meals, making a lasting difference. Visit FeedingtheIE.org/givefunds to start your monthly contribution today.
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