FFEN’s Resource Hub: Online and Live Support
Access tools and resources designed to enhance food shelf operations. Regularly updated and at your fingertips, our page highlights best practices from peer food shelves and common resources requested by food shelf leaders. For more tailored support, schedule a live Resource Hub call with FFEN staff to discuss real-time solutions, share resources, and explore next steps.
Fresh Food First: Tools
Tools to help manage the rise of fresh food in hunger relief, with a focus on sorting, merchandising, and management strategies to reduce food waste and increase the amount of food distributed to shoppers.
Fresh Food First: Videos
Videos to help train staff and volunteers to manage the rise of perishable food in hunger relief and make the most of fresh food, with a focus on sorting, merchandising, and management strategies.
MN TEFAP Resources
The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) is a key food stream for food shelves and also includes some additional guidance and requirements for food shelf service.
Strategic Food Sourcing Service
Food sourcing data insights help to make informed decisions and adapt to evolving community needs. Access resources and the most recent insights from FFEN’s Strategic Food Sourcing services here.
Food Sourcing Prioritization
In these changing times, it’s important to make a plan for food sourcing and prioritizing the most important foods for shoppers. Use this tool and discussion guide to plan out your sourcing strategy.
Food and Fund Drives
Food and fund drives are increasingly important ways to engage the community and stock the shelves. Making targeted requests for food items and/or funds will ensure that your food shelf gets what is most needed.
Navigating Challenging Times
As the environment or community needs shift, it can be important that food shelf leaders can bring calm even when navigating challenging times. These tools can be helpful in maintaining calm and adjusting programs.
Food Shelf Data Collection Systems
Every food shelf has different technology needs based on their service, capacity, and reporting requirements. Finding the right data system to track shopper and food donation data can save time and streamline service.
Budgeting and Fund Tracking Tools
It’s important for food shelves to use an annual budget as a roadmap for their organization, supporting fiscal responsibility and sustainability. For food shelves receiving grant funds, tracking spenddown is also critical.
Shopper Voice in Decision Making
Tools for gathering intentional shopper feedback to inform programming decisions. The handbook contains guides, templates, and reflection questions to shift power dynamics for increased shopper engagement.
Campus Pantry Resources
Leading a campus pantry on a college campus often requires resources that are tailored to the unique context of a two or four year campus environment with a focus on student engagement and service.
Minnesota Food Shelf Survey
This unique in the nation initiative gathers input from Minnesota food shelf shoppers and leaders every three years. This effort paints a picture of the hunger relief context and also informs needs, priorities, and investments for food shelves.