Food Distribution Shifts at Food Banks Post-Pandemic

Courtesy of WPTZ NBC Channel 5 in Plattsburgh.

BARRE, Vt. —

Food security around the region continues to be an issue. Especially within the most vulnerable populations. The Vermont Foodbank is launching what they’re calling the Food Security Innovation Lab.

“We’ve seen that the federal and the state government are putting in the resources into the kinds of changes necessary for us to really make a difference in hunger and so what can we do on the community level?” Vermont Foodbank CEO John Sayles said.

The lab aims to come up with program ideas to help end food insecurity in the state.

“I want the communities to come up with the ideas that are going to work there, and I think that’s really the key, for me,” Sayles, said. “Is that we’re listening more deeply for what the communities want and looking at what’s already happening.”

They’re planning to run the program for up to three years and have half of the $3 million required.

This type of program runs around the country at other Feeding America agencies. There, they have incorporated a door dash partnership for food deliveries. Vermont Foodbank has no specific programs in place an end goal is in sight.

“To actually stand up projects in communities that then the community can take over and sustain and that will have some kind of long term tangible impact on hunger,” Sayles said.

In the Northeast Kingdom, the NEK Council on Aging is cutting down meals at their distribution sites from 7 days a week to 5. They were receiving extra federal funds that are running out.

“We're having to look at some difficult questions around how do we begin to reduce or, you know, reassess, those are on the home delivered meals program,” said Meg Burmeister, executive director Northeast Kingdom Council on Aging.

They deliver an average of 850 meals daily but are trying to switch back to serving people in a pre-pandemic normal of in-person dining.

“So, we've seen meal sites that have also what are called congregate dining or in person dining,” Burmeister said. “And we were just on a call this morning with a number of our meal sites and they're not seeing the numbers of people coming back to that opportunity.”

They see these changes as uncomfortable, but not impossible. If anyone is struggling the NEK Council has staff members trained to get people, the resources they need. Call their helpline (800) 642-5119.