Food banks are charitable non-profit organizations that distribute food to those in need. Although they distribute food through intermediaries such as soup kitchens or food pantries, some of them operate directly. There are more than 700 food banks in the United States. Their mission is to distribute food. But there are also many other ways that food banks help people in need.
In 1984, France opened the first European food bank. Since then, food banks have grown in popularity across continental Europe. According to Professor Jon May from Queen Mary University and Independent Food Aid Network, the number food banks has increased rapidly over the past five years. While the role of food banks is vital, they often have a difficult time providing nutritious, well-balanced food.
Most food banks receive donated food from various sources. These can include the public, businesses, churches, and supermarkets. These donations are then sorted by volunteer food bank workers. Once the donated food is processed, food banks give out emergency food parcels to those in need. These parcels contain three days worth of nutritious, non-perishable food.
Food banks already faced a daunting task of feeding the hungry, but the COVID-19 pandemic has increased the difficulty of providing food. Food banks are also being affected by rising costs. Volunteers may be afraid of their safety or even be reluctant to work at a food bank. Many seniors are putting off volunteering at these organizations to avoid compromising the mission of food banks.
Food banks can increase the nutritional value of the food they distribute. While many food banks are wary of adopting strict nutrition standards, they can benefit from partnering with local farmers. These farmers can support local farmers and help food banks increase their local food supply. A recent survey of 137 food banks found that only 39 percent had an organizational nutrition policy.
In addition to distributing food to the needy, food banks also run food pantries. Food pantries can be either mobile distributions or permanent and are often the only source of healthy food in a community. These agencies offer nutrition education and screenings. Some pantries also provide back-to-school supplies.
Food banks also work closely with hospitals. They often work with hospitals to provide nutrition education for patients. Food pantries can also benefit from community benefit grants that support their efforts. These grants allow food banks to purchase and store fresh food for distribution in the local community. Hospitals can also help food banks establish healthy food sourcing programs by partnering with local farmers.
While food banks are essential for people in need, the federal government has a major role in helping those in need. SNAP, formerly known under the name food stamps, provides assistance for more than 35 million Americans. It reaches nine-times as many people as the Feeding America network.
