As FFEN’s Strategic Food Sourcing Report and Consultation efforts have expanded, so has Jenny Moore’s leadership. What began as a smaller ad-hoc initiative has evolved into a statewide effort supported by 23 volunteers and two interns.
The team is working together to meet the rising demand for data-driven hunger relief, said Moore, who celebrates their fifth anniversary as program coordinator this month.
When Moore started in the position they were creating 15 reports a year and food shelves were offered these reports as part of a deeper project work with FFEN. Now, the goal is to reach 300 food shelves with reports by 2028 – a dramatic increase that required intentional planning behind the scenes.
“We had to think strategically about how to make that happen and how we do it in a way that allows for sustainable growth and continued expansion,” Moore said.
Bringing on volunteers with deep field expertise, along with dedicated interns, has strengthened both the process and the end product. The expanded team, Moore said, brings diverse perspectives and greater capacity.
“Food shelf leaders are able to take this report and run with it to inform organizational decisions that support a more welcoming and predictable experience for shoppers and families visiting the food shelf.” Moore said.
FFEN has long relied on strong pro bono partnerships and a collaborative approach and Moore said this level of impact would not be possible without the time, talent, and commitment of both long-standing and new volunteers and interns who are helping scale this work across the state.
