Divert’s Post

Nearly half, or 46%, of survey respondents said they are more likely to donate to food banks during the holiday season than at other times of the year. Yet, with the 2023 holiday season approaching — during which demand for food banks is expected to surge — only 25% of respondents said they are more likely to donate during this year’s holiday season compared to years past. Those who are donating less to food banks this season cite increasing food and grocery costs as the No. 1 reason driving their decision. #AzFresh

Rising grocery prices are affecting food bank donations. Stay informed about the challenges and ongoing efforts. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/eKKivKw4 #GroceryPrices #FoodBankDonations #CommunitySupport #AgriculturalNews

Did you know that food that has lost its shelf life in grocery stores is often still suitable for consumption? We are honored to partner with Banco de Alimentos in Brazil for our annual OpenText Holiday Foodbank campaign. Luciana Chinaglia Quintao from Banco De Alimentos shares how they are thinking outside of the box to find new ways to fight hunger: “We collect food that has lost its shelf value in commerce and industry but is still suitable for consumption. Instead of discarding vegetables, fruit, pasta, and other food items, our partners donate their surplus food to Banco de Alimentos, and from there we distribute to those in need. We also educate our communities and partners on how to use food sources to their fullest potential, such as proper handling and storage, and how to use leaves, stems, peels, and seeds.” This year, in partnership with Banco de Alimentos, OpenTexters participated in National Food Collection Day in Brazil, where they volunteered their time to educate customers at local grocery stores about the need in their communities and accepted food donations. Join us in making a difference this holiday season! Together, we can fight hunger, reduce food waste, and create a positive impact on our communities. #giveback #foodinsecurity #corporatecitizenship #OT4Good #TeamOpenText

Government funding plays a crucial role in supporting organizations like Food Depot Alimentaire, which supply essential resources to food banks and soup kitchens across New Brunswick. Stephane Sirois, Food Depot Alimentaire's executive director, emphasized the significance of this funding, with an additional $1 million contribution announced by the provincial government. Sirois highlights its impact on ensuring that food banks and community kitchens can provide a variety of fresh produce to those in need. However, as visits to food banks and soup kitchens continue to rise, it's clear that long-term solutions are needed to address food insecurity effectively. The 35% increase in visits last year highlights the urgency of this issue, with more families relying on these services for support. At Greener Village, we recognize the importance of addressing food insecurity beyond immediate relief efforts. By advocating for sustainable solutions and supporting initiatives that promote access to nutritious food for all, we can work towards building a healthier and more resilient community. Join us in our mission to combat food insecurity and support families in need. Together, we can create lasting change and ensure that no one goes hungry. Donate today: https://lnkd.in/g-FKWSH5 #FoodSecurity #CommunitySupport #EndHunger

“The problem is real, there are people genuinely struggling... and there's so many more that weren't there before." With our Food Hubs like South Auckland Christian Food Bank facing a demand for support that's higher than ever, and still increasing, it takes a real team effort to try and keep up with the need. Have a read of the story from NZ Herald below for some frontline insight into the current level of need, as well as how we're collaborating with not only our network of food donors, but also non-food donors such as The Period Place, who donate other essential items like menstrual products, to alleviate financial stress from Kiwis, and help improve food security in NZ. Everyone can play a part, and if you'd like to make a real difference for Kiwis in need yourself, 100% of any donation to our Pitch In campaign will be used to purchase kai and essential items for those who need it most! 🙌 You can Pitch in here! https://lnkd.in/dV7Ww7eP #foodsecurity #foodwaste #costofliving #foodrescue #socialimpact

The Good Samaritan Act plays a pivotal role in our mission. This legal provision offers protection for food donations, enabling us to rescue surplus food from diverse sources, including restaurants, caterers, and grocery stores. According to the act, a person or gleaner must donate in good faith apparently wholesome food or fit grocery products to a nonprofit organization for ultimate distribution to needy individuals. Notably, the act also provides robust protection against civil and criminal liability to nonprofit organizations that receive such donated items in good faith. This legal safeguard empowers us to efficiently redistribute rescued food to those facing food insecurity. It not only helps curb food waste but also ensures that individuals and families have access to nourishing meals. Check out some of the other sources that we can receive donations from in the link below. https://lnkd.in/gnAehhs

"The growth of these charities and the efforts of canned food drives, fundraising campaigns and volunteers have done little to stem the demand, however. Those who work in the sector recognize giving out food doesn’t solve the fundamental problem that drives people to use food charities in the first place—the problem of not having enough money." A brilliant article from Wency Leung that hits the nail on the head: food banks simply can't keep up with the demand that comes from bad policy. Since emergency welfare measures during the pandemic have fallen away, more and more new faces arrive at our food bank. The amount of children we serve through our food bank more than doubled from September 2022 to August 2023. We need cash in people's pockets - through increases in Ontario Works, ODSP and through decent work - to get us out of this crisis of affordability. #foodsecurity #poverty #foodinflation #onpoli https://lnkd.in/e4kdCkHe

📣 Senior leaders from the UK food industry have come together in a historic pledge in support of the Coronation Food Project. It encourages major supermarkets and food manufacturers to join FareShare's innovative "Alliance Manufacturing" programme to redistribute even more surplus food to charities nationwide. The Alliance Manufacturing programme, a vital element of the Project, seeks to unlock more surplus food for redistribution by bringing project members together to share their surplus, underutilised and donated resources in all forms. 💬 George Wright, CEO of FareShare said: "The response from the food industry leaders and their teams has been incredible.” And it's just the start. If everyone in the food industry joins the alliance, no matter how large or small, the combined force would be game-changing. If you're reading this and you want to join, please email ceo@fareshare.org.uk." 💬 Dame Martina Milburn, Co-Chair of the Coronation Food Project, says: "Millions of tonnes of food are going to waste while too many families are wondering where their next meal is coming from. As we head towards Christmas, there is an urgent and growing need to save more surplus food and redistribute it to communities in need. That's what the Coronation Food Project is all about - tackling the twin issues of food waste and food insecurity in one. “ To find out more about the pledge, please visit the link in our bio 💚

"There are four times more food charities in the country than grocery stores, according to the food charity Second Harvest. Those who work in the sector recognize giving out food doesn’t solve the fundamental problem that drives people to use food charities in the first place—the problem of not having enough money. ...Insufficient government support is keeping society’s poorest, including those on social assistance, from climbing out of poverty. The amount of money that people receive on disability can put them as much as around $1,000 a month below the poverty line, he said. And they often don’t have much of a cushion to fall back on. Ontarians must show they are in financial need and have assets that are within certain allowable limits to be eligible for Ontario Works or ODSP. Food charities don’t convert anyone who is food insecure to being food secure. the country has a huge policy framework failure." Your regular reminder that more food banks won't solve food insecurity. This is clearly an income problem. Poverty is a government policy choice. #EndDisabilityPoverty #BudgetTheBenefit https://lnkd.in/gUnBNsHD

Numbers provide value in storytelling (like this post!) and help us identify impact. I hope we can move towards such #foodrescue tracking in Chicago/Illinois!