As food shelf leaders anticipate higher demand for services due to cuts in federal programs, they’re becoming even more strategic in order to continue meeting the needs of their communities.
FFEN recently completed 72 virtual consultations with staff and volunteers from 113 food shelf sites as part of its Strategic Food Sourcing Report and Consultation service. More than 200 food shelves are signed up to receive the next round of reports.
These reports give food shelf leaders a snapshot of the foods available to the community through the food shelf, and their associated costs. The data can be used to inform future food sourcing and purchasing, giving leaders the ability to identify which foods cost the most so they can decide how those foods align with their spending/food priorities at the food shelf.
“Food shelf leaders are resilient and stay focused on their communities, even in tough circumstances,” said Katie Bull, FFEN’s director of programs.
“This is so good. We don’t have the time, skill or knowledge (to create this); and you have the comparison data. The board will love this information”
Judy Kadlec, treasurer
Walker Area food shelf
She noted that leaders are using FFEN data to make informed, proactive decisions—especially as they prepare for continued rising demand.
“Using the data, we can have conversations about preparing for changes instead of making rash decisions out of a scarcity mindset as they see more food moving off the shelves,” Bull said. “We run the numbers, plan for more people coming in and plan for a higher spend on food that allows the food shelf to create a budget that is sustainable.”
FFEN is advising food shelves to prioritize key food categories, even if that means decreasing variety and choosing lower – or no-cost options to stay within budget.
Other trends that came out of the conversations:
* Food shelves aim to provide the best food possible, with most sourcing over 50% of pounds in fresh produce, protein, and dairy.
“This is one of the most beneficial Zoom meetings we’ve ever sat in on,”
Bob Neros
Food coordinator manager
Cuyuna Range Food Shelf, Crosby
* Food shelves are building relationships with food suppliers, including local grocers and potential food rescue sources.
*Food shelves are using FFEN reports to identify high-cost items and acquire them through community food drives instead.
* Food shelves are committed to offering culturally relevant foods for diverse communities.
* Historically well-supported food shelves are rethinking funding streams.
Strategic Food Sourcing Insights
(July – December 2024)
FFEN held customized, live, virtual consultations with volunteers and staff from 72 food shelves
Timeline:
Jan-March 2025: Collect and analyze data
March 31, 2025: Statewide data insights
April-June 2025: FFEN crafts tailored data reports for 90 organizations, covering 147 food shelf sites
Learn more about the food shelves that participated in the last round of Strategic Food Sourcing
Get a picture of what Minnesota’s food shelves are doing well and the challenges
Food Shelf Characteristics
Learn about the food shelves that participated in the last round of Strategic Food Sourcing.
Click here to learn:
*How often shoppers can visit the food shelves
*How the food shelf gets its food
*The methods food shelves use to distribute food to shoppers
See the metrics food shelves can use to determine how best to order food
Click here to learn:
*The definition of the metric
*How food shelves use the metric
*Why it’s important
See the qualitative report for this round of Strategic Food Sourcing Click here
Webinar: Strategic Food Sourcing Data Insights from around the state Click here
