Sheboygan County Food Bank Commits to Fresh Method
What if food pantries are your main source of food to fuel your body because you have a disability that affects your ability to work, recently lost a job or simply can’t make ends meet?
Per the 2015 “Food for Tomorrow” Report by the United Way of Sheboygan County, 62 percent of Sheboygan County pantry clients say that the pantry is where they get most of their food.
Sheboygan County Food Bank (SCFB) now focuses on healthy foods when we provide food for over 3,500 households through partner agencies like food pantries. SCFB works to purchase, accept and safely store food locally at their 10,000-square foot warehouse.
Soda, candy and donuts, oh my! These treats are bittersweet. We all know they taste sweet, but we can’t lose sight of their bitter effects on the body. The United States Department of Agriculture says sugar contains just calories and no other nutrients, like protein, or important vitamins and minerals.
With the above facts in mind and SCFB’s updated mission that includes “distributing healthy emergency food to Sheboygan County residents,” SCFB has made a Healthy Food Policy: A Fresh Approach to Ending Local Hunger Through Access to Healthy Food.
What does this exactly mean?
SCFB champions healthy choices in employees, volunteers and clients. The Free & Local organization believes that every person has the right to access healthy food. A healthy, sustainable food supply decreases chronic diseases, increases productivity in the classroom and workplace and increases health equity in our communities.
SCFB now commits to:
❚ distributing a high percentage of fresh and perishable food to partner agencies.
❚ not distributing food with very low to no nutritional value.
❚ offering healthy food choices at staff meetings, events and volunteer engagement activities.
❚ engaging the public in a healthy, equitable and sustainable food system.
❚ advocating for policy and systematic change around food justice in the hunger relief community and beyond.
❚ adding higher quality, fresh foods and cutting out certain foods.
SCFB is committed to distributing:
❚ fresh, whole foods such as fruits and vegetables,
milk, cheese, eggs, meats and poultry
❚ foods with high and healthy nutritional values
❚ and low sugar, low-sodium, low-fat and wholegrain items whenever possible.
SCFB no longer distributes:
❚ soda or sugar-added beverages
❚ candy
❚ or bakery sweets, including cake, donuts, cookies and pastries.
If you would like to support SCFB in its efforts to end hunger in Sheboygan County, please consider being a part of the following current and upcoming fundraisers:
Sheboygan County Food Bank in midst of annual Stock the Shelves campaign
SCFB is in the middle of the annual Stock the Shelves campaign sponsored by USA TODAY Network (Gannett). Money raised allows SCFB to purchase food in cost-effective quantities.
Please mail your donation to Sheboygan County Food Bank 3115 N. 21st St., Sheboygan, WI 53083.
Checks should be made payable to Sheboygan Country Food Bank. Online contributions can be made at SheboyganCountyFoodBank.com/Donate-Money.
Sheboygan County Food Bank to host Holiday Lights Hunger 5K Run/1 Mile Walk
The first family-friendly Holiday Lights Hunger 5K Run/1 Mile Walk through the Making Spirits Bright holiday lights display will take place on Nov. 18. The course will offer a “sneak peek” of Making Spirits Bright in Evergreen Park. Children 12 and under register for free. All money raised by this event will go to Sheboygan County Food Bank. Please visit RunSignUp.com/HolidayLights to register or volunteer.
For more information about the SCFB, go to their website at www.sheboygancountyfoodbank.com and/or call 920-453-0169.
Lauren Smith is the communications and development coordinator for the Sheboygan County Food Bank and a member of the Sheboygan County Activity and Nutrition (SCAN) committee.