For year’s traditional food banks have successfully supplied food to families in need. In some impoverished areas, large populations of people are 100% dependent on these banks to provide food for their family. However, in recent yearstraditional food banks are meeting increasing challenges, some never experienced before that has greatly affected their solvency. A traditional food bank has operational costs such as: rental facilities, food storage/refrigeration, volunteer management, facility expenses (electric, water, trash, insurance etc.). On average 20% of what is donated has to be discarded due to food expiration date or damaged goods.
Even though the economy is recovering and donations are increasing, the employment rates are on the rise forcing a decrease in federal and state subsidies. While more people have job’s, they are often not providing enough to cover all the bills. The need for food remains at an all-time high. With so many family’s depending upon food banks, streamlining and becoming more efficient as an organizationis the only solution.
