Food Banks in the Good Food Movement

When you hear “food bank,” how many of you think of the Good Food Movement?  We know food banks are an increasingly important safety net, but they give away low quality, low nutrient food right? 

While that is sadly the case in some instances, some food banks are creating innovative programs to improve their clients’ access to fresh, healthy foods. More than that, people like Cori Walters, the Director of the Issaquah Food and Clothing Bank, have helped to create “Nourishing Networks” made up of community, nonprofit, school, and government representatives who combine their resources to take strategic actions to end hunger in their communities.

“We are not emergency systems anymore”

The first thing you should know about the food bank system is that it has changed dramatically from the early 1970s and 80s emergency food system. According to Cori, most food banks sustain a growing number of people.  She estimates her food bank provides 50% of their clients’ food needs, serving more like a grocery store than a one-time source of help.

Printed with permission from the Issaquah Food Bank

Why is that important?

According to the CDC, “low-income families generally have less access to both healthy food choices and opportunities for physical activity.” A low-income level is linked to a significantly greater prevalence of obesity and type-2 diabetes in preschool children, with health impacts continuing into adulthood. Food banks provide a large percentage of the food these families eat, including federal (USDA) and state (WSDA) food programs meant to serve children, pregnant women, seniors, and low-income families.

 “With so many people depending on us, it is important to recognize our huge impact on the health of the community,” Cori asserts.

Especially after participating in The Food Stamp Challenge, Cori recognized how difficult it was to access and afford good food.  Even food banks who want to provide better food must work with what they can get or purchase. The complex system and somewhat random donations mean food banks might receive a bunch of old pastries and more canned kidney beans than they can handle, but not enough fresh produce. Food banks in rural and less affluent regions are even more limited (see article) since they likely do not have the same opportunities for supplemental community support.

As the health impact becomes better researched and accepted, there are promising changes underway in the federal and state programs. However, with budget cuts and growing demand for services, people like Cori are searching for new ways to end hunger and improve community health.

Food Bank as Community Convener

Food banks are natural entry points for people experiencing food insecurity.  They also are commonly the Nourishing Networks originally created by Hope Link. Through these meetings, she was able to partner with organizations like Seattle Tilth, who runs some of its programs at the Pickering Barn in Issaquah.  There they grow more than a ton of fresh produce for the Issaquah Food Bank.  The Issaquah Food Bank, in turn, sends many volunteers to help Seattle Tilth keep up with the farm work.
first place people think to volunteer, donate, fundraise, or to otherwise offer support.  Cori uses that focus to convene the Issaquah Nourishing Network, a part of the King County-based

Printed with permission from the Issaquah Food Bank

Cori also used the network to consolidate individual groups putting together school supplies into one shared effort, increasing their output from 200 backpacks with mixed supplies to over 1200 fully stocked backpacks distributed by the schools to kids who needed them. She used the same strategy for summer lunches. Win-win relationships like these draw on the strengths of each organization without creating extra programs to fund and manage.

Other food banks have their own innovations. The Bellingham and Thurston County Food Banks support gleaning programs, fresh produce cooking demonstrations (what do I do with this kale?!), winter CSA shares for clients, food bank growers meetings for backyard gardeners and farmers to coordinate extra plantings, and even free garden builds for low-income families.  The best food banks are actively partnering with farmers, nonprofits, churches, civic groups, and schools to provide welcoming and educational opportunities for consistent access to healthy food.

So yes, food banks should be at the heart of the Food Movement. They have community buy-in, an established reputation, and most importantly, are positioned to make an immediate impact on our community’s health and food security.  If you want help grow the Good Food Movement, consider connecting with your local food bank and finding out how you can help them provide consistent fresh, healthy food.

Look for more articles on Sustainability Education and The Good Food Movement here and at RootForward.net. Root Forward provides research, project, and program design services to nonprofits, farmers and educators.