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Food pantries navigate inflation, supply chain challenges
By Ross Ketschke, WMTW
Food pantries navigate inflation, supply chain challenges
ORGANIZATIONS E ARWORKING THROUGH NEW CHALLENGES TO KEEP COMMUNITIES FED. é <00:08:07:11> "WE HAVE SHOPPERS COME IN FOR THEM AND THEY GO THRGHOU AND JUST SHOP SHOP SHO" P. THERE'S ALWAYS WORTO DO K AT THE SOUTH PORTLAND FOOD CUPBOR D. <00:02:05:18 JIM WELCH, SOUTH PORTLAND FOOD CUPBORD OPERATIONS MANG> ER "EXCEPT FOR THANKSGIVING, CHRISTMAS AND EAST, ER WE'RE HERE PUTTING FOOD THROUGH.' AND AS WE ENTER THE HOLIDAY SEASON. .. SOME OF THAT WORK IS GETTING MORE COMPLICAT. ED RISING COSTS OF GOODS AND GLOBAL SUPPLY CHAIN CHALLENGES ARE TRICKLING DOWN TO NEIGHBORHOOD FOOD PANTRIES. <00:06:40:14 JIM WELCH, SOUTH PORTLAND FOOD CUPBORD OPERATIONS MANGER> "TOMATO SAUCEIS A BIG ONE WE'RE IN SHORT SUPPLY RIGHT NOW." <00:01:06:15 DAWN DIFIORE, GOOD SHEPHERD FOOD BAN K> "THE SUPPLY CHAIN,F I ANYTHING, HAS BEEN A CONSTANT CHALLENGE SINCE COVID CAME TO TOWN ." DAWN DIFIORE FROM THE GOOD SHEPHERD FOOD BANK SAYS RISING COSTS E AR MAKING IT HARDER FOR STRUGGLING FAMILIES TO AFFORD THE ESSENTIALS. AS SESONS CHANGE AND THE HOLIDAYS GET CLOSER. .. THAT SQUEEZE GETS TIGHTER. <00:07:17:06> 'PEOPLE START TO MAKE THESE TRADE-OFFS. AM I GOING TO BUY HEATING FUEL OR AM I GOING TO GET THIS BAG OF GROCERIE" S? LAST YEAR- THE FOODBANK SUPPLIED 31.3 MILLION MEALS. DIFIORE SAYS EVEN WITH PRICES UP... THE FOOD BANK'S NETWORK OF SUPPLIES LETS THEM TURN A ONE DOLLAR DONATION INTO THREE MEALS. <00:08:50:19> "FIGURE, IF YOU DONATE 365 DOLLARS, YOU'VE LITERAY LL JUST FED ONE PERSON FOR A YEAR." "AND WHILE WHILE SUPPLY CHAIN ISSUES HAVE MADET I DIFFICUTL TO KEEP THINGS IN STOCK, IT'S BEEN THE VOLUNTEERSHA TT REALLY KEEP THINGS MOVING FORWAR" D. <00:01:14:19 JIM WELCH, SOUTH PORTLAND FOOD CUPBORD OPERATIONS MANG> ER "THE PPLEOE WHO GIVE HERE AND HELP US OUT MAKE IT A WHOLE LOT EASIER ." IT COULD TAKE MONTHS FOR GLOBAL SHIPPING TO RETURN TO PRE- PANDEMIC NORMAL... BU T THE NEED FOR THESE PROGRAMS ISN'T GOING ANYWHERE
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Food pantries navigate inflation, supply chain challenges
By Ross Ketschke, WMTW
The rising cost of goods and global supply chain issues are trickling down to community food pantries.Surging food prices across the country have created a growing need for assistance at neighborhood food shelves, but have also stretched available supplies thin.Jim Welch, operations manager at the South Portland Food Cupboard in Maine, said they have run into challenges finding some common items, crediting the program's network of volunteers for keeping their regular food pickup programs running smoothly."The people who give here and help us out make it a whole lot easier," Welch said.Further up the food assistance supply chain, the Good Shepherd Food Bank is also navigating pandemic-related challenges.Dawn DiFiore, the food bank's director of community partnerships, said supply chain issues have been a constant struggle since the start of the pandemic nearly two years ago.Getting regular shipments of goods has been a constant adjustment, with the food bank often lining up multiple potential suppliers to ensure they can keep their warehouse stocked. With the cost of things like gas and groceries getting more expensive and the holidays fast approaching, DiFiore said some the squeeze on struggling families is getting tighter."People start to make these trade-offs. Am I going to buy heating fuel or am I going to get this bag of groceries?" DiFiore said.Thanks to their network of suppliers, Good Shepherd is able to stretch money father than the average consumer. According to DiFiore, a $1 donation translates to three full meals provided by the food bank.
MAINE, Maine —

The rising cost of goods and global supply chain issues are trickling down to community food pantries.

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across the country have created a growing need for assistance at neighborhood food shelves, but have also stretched available supplies thin.

Jim Welch, operations manager at the South Portland Food Cupboard in Maine, said they have run into challenges finding some common items, crediting the program's network of volunteers for keeping their regular food pickup programs running smoothly.

"The people who give here and help us out make it a whole lot easier," Welch said.

Further up the food assistance supply chain, the Good Shepherd Food Bank is also navigating pandemic-related challenges.

Dawn DiFiore, the food bank's director of community partnerships, said supply chain issues have been a constant struggle since the start of the pandemic nearly two years ago.

Getting regular shipments of goods has been a constant adjustment, with the food bank often lining up multiple potential suppliers to ensure they can keep their warehouse stocked.

With the cost of things like gas and groceries getting more expensive and the holidays fast approaching, DiFiore said some the squeeze on struggling families is getting tighter.

"People start to make these trade-offs. Am I going to buy heating fuel or am I going to get this bag of groceries?" DiFiore said.

Thanks to their network of suppliers, Good Shepherd is able to stretch money father than the average consumer. According to DiFiore, a $1 donation translates to three full meals provided by the food bank.