THE SOLUTION:
Mountaineer Food Bank receives donations of foods and other products from national companies throughout the United States. Much of the perfectly wholesome food manufactured in this country cannot be sold. Reasons include overproduction, mislabeling and minor damage. The Food Bank taps into these otherwise wasted resources. Companies located in West Virginia also make donations of foods and other products. Food Bank product is donated by manufacturers, wholesalers, farmers, retailers, distributors, local food drives and individuals.
Second Harvest is a national organization committed to feeding hungry people. Being one of over 180 certified affiliate members of the Second Harvest network is Mountaineer Food Bank's link to national donors of foods and other products. Annually the Food Bank receives product donations from an average of 40 different national donors and an average of 12 different local donors within West Virginia. These donations are inventoried, stored and distributed to member agencies in 48 counties of West Virginia who in turn feed needy people. The member agencies are shelters, churches, soup kitchens, day cares and food pantries.
Other sources providing foods and other products are Feed the Children, Operation Blessing, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Hunters Helping the Hungry. The state contracts the Food Bank to handle the distribution of foods provided through the 1988 Hunger Act known as the Soup Kitchen/Food Bank Program and The Emergency Food Assistance Program. The Food Bank also receives food donations from several annual food drives. The combination of all these different sources furnishes a variety for the member agencies to choose from.
ACCREDITATION:
Due to the nature and types of products that are donated, a high standard has to be maintained in order for the donors to feel confident that the Food Bank is the place to handle the product. Adequate dry storage space as well as freezers and coolers are needed to accommodate the variety of foods donated.
The Food Bank is subject to inspection at any time by contributing national or local donors as well as the following:
West Virginia Department of Health and Human
Resources Donated Foods Program
Health Departments
Second Harvest
West Virginia Department of Agriculture
(3 areas - dry, frozen, and refrigerated)
Grocery Manufacturers of America
Federal Drug Administration
United States Department of Agriculture
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