The Idaho Foodbank 5/21/2010
What is the Idaho Foodbank?
The Idaho Foodbank provides food, information, and supportive services to hungry people through partnerships with nonprofit agencies, the food industry, government, volunteers, corporations, and individuals by serving as a central clearinghouse for donated and purchased food. Through the Idaho Foodbank’s 3 main centers located in Boise, Lewiston, and Pocatello and with an agreement with the Second Harvest Foodbank of the Inland Northwest in Spokane, all of Idaho's 44 counties are served.
The Idaho Foodbank coordinates many programs aimed at feeding Idaho’s hungry. Some of these programs include:
General Distribution Approximately 6 million pounds of food is received at the Idaho Foodbank’s 3 facilities yearly and is distributed out to assist over 200 non-profit agencies who provide critical services to low income people during times of difficulty. To help combat issues of obesity and diet among low income Idahoans, the Idaho Foodbank has enhanced its focus on fruits, vegetables, and high protein foods.
Grow a Row Grow a Row is a community effort to provide fresh vegetables and fruits to enrich the diets of hungry people in our state. When you plant your garden in the spring, think of what one extra plant could mean for a hungry family. The produce you give The Idaho Foodbank will help many families and individuals in need of healthy, wholesome food.
The Kids Café As the nation's largest after-school meal service program for children, Kids Cafe provides free snacks along with nutrition information to hungry students. Kids Cafe programs operate in secure locations where kids naturally congregate, such as community centers, schools or Boys and Girls Clubs. Currently, The Idaho Foodbank supplies food, nutrition-education materials and physical-fitness for Kids Cafe programs in locations all over Idaho.
Meat the Need Meat the Need allows livestock owners to donate their excess or unwanted animals to the Foodbank and take a tax deduction for the donation. The meat is then processed and distributed to needy families throughout Idaho. Last year, farmers, ranchers and 4-H groups donated 10,866 pounds of badly needed meat to the Foodbank through Meat the Need. Meat the Need will accept beef and dairy cattle, lambs and sheep and pigs, including those that are underweight or past prime production or market value. The cost to process, package and freeze the meat will be paid by The Idaho Foodbank using donated funds.
Chefs to the Rescue Rescues surplus prepared food from restaurants, caterers and other sources and delivers it directly to people in need. In 2005, the Idaho Foodbank distributed 661,719 pounds of food that would have otherwise been thrown out.
How can I learn more about the Idaho Foodbank and their programs?
To find out more information about the Idaho Foodbank, contact the office closest to you.
In the Boise area, call 1-208-336-9643
In the Lewiston area, call 1-208-746-2288
In the Pocatello area, call 1-208-233-8811
Online, visit the Idaho Foodbank’s web site at www.idahofoodbank.org .