A year ago, Washington D.C.'s Capital Area Food Bank — one of the largest in the country — decided to turn away junk food, joining a growing trend of food banks that are trying to offer healthier options to low-income Americans. From soda to chips, the CAFB has reduced the junk food it supplies to its 444 nonprofit partners, including soup kitchens and food pantries, by 84 percent.
"This change was in large part driven by the people we're serving," says Hilary Salmon, director of communications at CAFB, which distributes 46 million pounds of food every year to partners in D.C., as well as the suburbs of Virginia and Maryland. "The feedback we were getting from our partners, over and over again, was that people were hearing from their doctors that they really need to reduce the salt and sugar in their diet and increase fiber."
Forty-eight percent of the people the CAFB serves have high blood pressure, while 22 percent have diabetes, or they live with someone who has those diseases.
"We see that information and feel it's a moral imperative to be focusing on food that is going to drive better health outcomes for folks," says Salmon.
More
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
8 comments:
When the MD food bank sets up their tents on Church Street to hand out produce, etc - you should see all the Mercedes and Lexus' lined up to get the free food. These programs have no oversight, which is why they will never work.
total bs, free everything and you are right, I'm bettin every slug that shows up will have a cell phone and their nails done! this country is so f'd up!
I would love to see it! Verify this with a photo or STFU
Get some video at Church Street. Everyone would like to see what you do.
I think it's ridiculous that people are being TOLD what to donate to the Food Bank. I guess Goodwill will only accept brand name clothing donations now, because no one wants to wear Kmart brands?
that whole church st thing is a big lie. the food bank only gives food to approved groups who distribute to the public. some of the approved groups are fake religious groups that distribute the food to their friends and family.
I was there once when one of the fake people said "aunt so and so wants chicken".
if you call needing food they ask where you live and will give you the name of ONE pantry you can get food from.
its just another corrupt bs government program run by the corrupt people it is supposed to serve so they take FULL advantage of it.
7:30
That is a stupid comparison. If you have health issues you shouldn't be eating those types of foods anyway. Why waste money on them. Clothes can come from anywhere and be useful no matter who makes them. If they eat healthier they will have less health issues that we will in turn have to pay for also. Win win by doing what they are doing. NO ONE is saying they can't eat junk food. They can buy it with their own money if they want it that bad.
These food banks are ripped off regularly. People who do not need assistance go there and get food because it's free and they can spend their money on frivolous things. Nails, hair hats, jewelry, tatoos, etc. Sick of seeing such abuse.
Post a Comment