| HeraldNet - Snohomish County's online news source |
 TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2010 4:14 pm |
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Big business teams up with food banks Vermont's only food bank is buying a farm.In California, commercial fishing boats donated 260 pounds of rockfish this month. And in Tennessee, groceries that are fine to eat but deemed unmarketable by retailers are being collected and prepared for those in need. As traditional sources of donations dry up and demand rises amid a worsening recession, food banks and their volunteers are finding creative ways to make the best of a growing challenge -- while the hungry try to make less food go farther. And businesses are helping. "(Hunger) has been a persistent problem but it's radically gotten worse in the last year since the economy has tanked," said Ross Fraser, a spokesman for Feeding America, formerly Second Harvest. The number of people going to Feeding America's food banks nationwide increased 18 percent between 1997 and 2005 to more than 25 million. A more recent figure was not available. Some corporations have recently come forward to help, including grocers and food manufacturers, whose assistance these days comes in the form of money and transportation services. Wal-Mart Stores Inc. last month said it will donate more meat and dairy products, plus $2.5 million, while Kraft Foods Inc. will fund a $4.5 million mobile pantry program. To address rising demand, food banks and other nonprofits are trying to build new alliances with farmers, fishermen and schools (think canned-food drives), while also working to maintain relationships with their traditional base of support. "The need is great and I think we are looking to the future," said Judy Stermer, spokeswoman for the Vermont Foodbank, which plans to close on the purchase of a 20-acre farm by May. It also recently bought a company that salvages farm crop surplus to help address a 25 percent surge in demand. The hungry are also adopting resourceful strategies, such as embracing urban gardening and substituting cheaper foods -- and it is no longer as common for people to wait in long lines at food banks in order to put food on the table. For example, demand has increased 25 percent over the last half a year to 180 bags a week at Farm-to-City Market Basket Program, which delivers bags of up to 25 pounds of fruit and vegetables to neighborhoods in Chicago and across Wisconsin. The bags cost $16 but are worth $25. The majority who buy the baskets are middle- and low-income, said Will Allen, a former NBA player who runs the nonprofit Growing Power, which sponsors the food delivery program and promotes urban gardening. "A lot of people are just too proud to go to a food bank, or food pantry or soup kitchen," Allen said. After learning about the troubles food banks were having, a group of fishermen in Southern California donated boats, bait and deck hands for a deep-sea fishing excursion whose purpose was to supply FOOD Share in Ventura County, Calif. The first expedition was Dec. 8 near the Channel Islands, but more are expected. "The true challenge will be to keep these types of activities going after the holidays -- when people are not as apt to think about the hungry," said Ann Sobel, special projects consultant at FOOD Share. |
- A revolutionary 747
- Fire breaks out at Everett car dealer
- Everett rethinks boutique wineries
- A tidy lawn could be law in Lynnwood
- Snohomish County's bargain housing won't last
- Boeing's 747-8 takes off after weather delay
- Plan for I-5 closures this week
- A new bowling alley for Monroe?
- Lake Stevens man homeless after fire
- I-5 bridge joint may give you a jolt, but it isn't damaged
- Vote on school levies by Tuesday
(11) - A tidy lawn could be law in Lynnwood (10)
- Everett police officers cleared in 2008 shooting death (5)
- 1949 travel aid shows how few places blacks were welcome in Washington (4)
- I-5 bridge joint may give you a jolt, but it isn't damaged (4)
- Everett rethinks boutique wineries (4)
- Lynnwood sets height limit on grass: 8 inches (4)
- County archive software paid for but waiting for set-up (3)
- Three politicians who want Gregoire's job in 2012 (3)
- Toyota has powerful D.C. friends (3)
- Edmonds educator, famous announcer dies
- Mill Creek to appeal ruling on annexation
- Through the air, with the greatest of ease
- E-W thriving under new coach
- The path to citizenship
- EUUC puts on ‘Pants & Shoes’
- Wolfpack wins the ‘Battle'
- Lynnwood’s annexation plans OK’d
- Arlington's Cascade Valley Hospital celebrates expansion, national award and 100 years of service
- Business Licences Feb. 2010
- Technology tips for launching your own business
- Business Events Feb. 2010
- Tech Talk: No excuse today for going without a Web site
- State already raising fees and rates that restrict business growth
- Some legislators again targeting people’s initiative petition rights
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