[image credit: Spokesman Review]
Much of the food donated to food banks is unhealthy
Historically, according to the California-based SuperFood Drive, food pantries focused on filling empty stomachs with whatever food was available. Much of it was highly processed and high in fat, sugar, sodium and corn syrup.
“Food insecurity” is linked to high rates of preventable diseases – obesity, hypertension, type 2 diabetes – and the organization is among hunger-relief groups working to offer nutritious options that can help stave them off.
Solution: Food banks reach out to local farmers for donations
Many local farmers and ranchers have surplus or lower-grade product that is perfectly good for food, but might not meet the excessively strict standards of supermarkets. In the past, this food would end up in the landfill, but the CEO of Spokane Valley Partners started reaching out to them to find an outlet for it. It's a win-win scenario – farmers save on waste management costs, and the food bank stocks its shelves with fresh, healthy food
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- Spokesman Review | Fresh and healthy on food banks’ wish lists
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