Harvest Manitoba is altering its distribution mannequin to permit for better effectivity, extra alternative and extra dignity for its prospects.
The nonprofit meals financial institution is embracing a “alternative mannequin,” delivery meals in bulk to distribution facilities the place individuals can choose their very own objects, similar to at a grocery retailer.
It is a change from the earlier mannequin, by which prospects picked up prepackaged baskets with meals already chosen for them.
That previous mannequin labored effectively through the pandemic, stated Meaghan Erbus, Director of Networking, Advocacy and Training for Harvest Manitoba. “In the beginning of COVID, Harvest started creating baskets to proceed serving our meals financial institution recipients, taking objects that will in any other case have been in bulk and boxing them up.”
However now that the pandemic is over, the meals financial institution is altering the best way it gives meals to these in want. “This mannequin, the selection mannequin, is a bit more dignified within the sense that folks can are available in, they’ll select the objects they need… so this opens up so individuals can do this,” Erbus stated.
She stated the supermarket-style purchasing mannequin may also assist cut back meals waste. “As a result of we’re going again to a alternative mannequin, we’re offering extra meals, extra alternative…and an honest alternative for individuals to decide on objects.”
Harvest Manitoba is at all times in search of meals donations. The highest ten most wanted objects are listed on their web site and embody canned items, pasta, and peanut butter.
Erbus stated in addition they want child formulation: “That is one of many objects we want so badly, so we’re in search of individuals to donate these objects.”
Greater than 40,000 Manitobans depend on meals banks every month.