Food Bank Changes Business Model to
Better Meet the Needs of the Community
The Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank estimates
that in five years, nearly 50 percent of its inventory will be fresh
produce, moving from more than eight million pounds distributed
last year to 24 million pounds in 2022. Understanding that the
cost of fresh produce is too expensive for many of the families and
individuals served by the Food Bank, there are new agency shared
maintenance fees (effective Sept. 1) designed to eliminate the cost
of produce.
The decision to change the agency shared maintenance
fees is smart for the organization and for the more
than 110,000 individuals and families served monthly.
More than 74 percent of the people served by the Food
Bank want fresh foods as part of their diet but purchase
inexpensive, unhealthy foods because they cannot afford
healthier options. It is important to the Food Bank’s
mission to promote healthy, fresh produce options and
ensure that people have access to the right foods.
“By changing our agency shared maintenance fee
structure, we are able to take advantage of the largest
source of food waste in our country: the six billion pounds
of produce that never make it out of the fields,” said Justin
Lee, GPCFB Chief Operating Officer. “The new fees are
designed to eliminate the cost of produce. Although some,
not all, of the fresh produce is donated, it costs time and
money to source, transport, store and deliver it. We do our
best to keep these costs to a minimum and absorb them
ourselves. Occasionally we have to ask our agencies and
partners to help with some of those costs.”
The Food Bank network of more than 400 agencies that
serve as emergency or regular food distribution centers,
after-school program sites and on-site feeding programs
will see their fees fluctuate between a five percent decrease
and a 10 percent increase.
About Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank
Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, a member of
Feeding America, is a nonprofit organization founded in 1980
that distributes more than 33 million meals annually throughout
a network of nearly 400 member agencies across 11 counties in
southwestern Pennsylvania. For more information on hunger in
our region or how to get involved, visit pittsburghfoodbank.org.
NHCO’s annual holiday gift collection begins Nov. 1
North Hills Community Outreach
is accepting new toys, games, sporting
equipment, apparel and gift cards for
children ages birth through 18, through
December 12. Earlier donations are
encouraged! Gifts cards and gifts
appropriate for teens are especially
needed! NHCO offices, including
the main office at 1975 Ferguson
Road, Hampton, are open weekdays,
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The pantry behind the main building
in Hampton will be open for donations 9
a.m. to noon, on Saturday, December 1 .
Alternate donation plans can be made by
calling 412.487.6316, opt 1.
For more information, visit nhco.org. ■
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