How Foodshare will secure more food donations, part three

Last year, Foodshare distributed enough food to make 11 million meals…

And yet, that’s just three or four meals per hungry person per week…

It covers just 25% of the need.

Clearly, we must do more and do better!

We have a plan – to provide an additional 2.5 million meals each year!

•       Expanded retail store pick-up – see a description of these plans here

•       Increased capacity at the Hartford Regional Market– see a description of these plans here

•       Expanded volunteer sorting and re-packing at Bloomfield Distribution Facility

Today, let’s take a look at part three – expanding the volunteer work area in Bloomfield:

Growth areas for food donations include:

•       Perishable food, including produce, dairy, and frozen meat

•       Small donations directly from retail stores

These new sources of food often require sorting, evaluation and repacking, most of which is done by volunteers. 

With capacity to support more volunteers and safe, efficient places for them to work, another 2.5 million meals are possible.

The volunteer work room represents the most significant change coming about through our construction project at our Bloomfield distribution center.

•       This expansion will allow us to engage 3 times as many volunteers in onsite re-pack projects.

•       Space is located next to the freezer and cooler allowing for fast and safe movement of food and reducing risk.