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In a Nutshell

(or the story behind the carrot)

WHAT DOES FOOD GATHERERS DO?
Food Gatherers exists to alleviate hunger and eliminate its causes in our community by: reducing food waste through the rescue and distribution of perishable and non-perishable food, coordinating with other hunger relief providers, educating the public about hunger, and developing new food resources.

HOW DID FOOD GATHERERS COME ABOUT?
Food Gatherers is not only Michigan’s first food rescue program, but the first program of its kind to be founded by a
for-profit business, our own Zingerman’s Delicatessen. In 1997, Food Gatherers also assumed responsibility for the county food bank. Today, it is an independent 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization governed by a board of directors and operated by 15 staff people and more than 4,500 different dedicated volunteers. Food Gatherers is now the primary distributor of food in Washtenaw County.

WHERE DOES ALL THAT FOOD COME FROM?
We glean surplus food from more than 300 sources such as restaurants like Tio’s Southwestern Cafe, food retailers like Busch’s Family Markets, food wholesalers like Gordon’s Food Service and dormitories like Eastern Michigan University’s Dining Services. Through the food bank system, locally we are networked to extensive state food donation and nationally, through America’s Second Harvest, we are connected to large corporate donors such as Kraft, ConAgra and Kellogg. Then there are people like you who donate canned items, food from gardens, dry goods and money. Food Gatherers exists because of the generosity and caring of many individuals in the community!

WHERE DOES THE FOOD GO?
Food Gatherers provides enough food for more than 8,500 meals a day. Food Gatherers brings the food to more than 150 community programs serving our neighbors - mostly families and children, in need of food. The agencies receiving our food include St. Andrews Breakfast Program, Dawn Farm, Salvation Army, SOS Community Services and Hope Clinic.

WHAT IS THE COMMUNITY KITCHEN?
Food Gatherers operates the Community Kitchen, which is located in the Robert J. Delonis Center, home of the Shelter Association of Washtenaw County. Volunteers transform rescued and bulk food into useful food resources, and prepare and serve 20 meals per week to those in need. Our partner, the Chain of Plenty/YMCA, offers life skills and food service job training to special needs students.

HOW SUCCESSFUL IS FOOD GATHERERS?
As they say, the proof is in the pudding, or rather the pounds of pudding. In the first year of operation with one staff person, a borrowed vehicle, and an attic office, Food Gatherers transported about 2,400 pounds of food. Today Food Gatherers has a huge warehouse, five vehicles, and a corps of volunteers that transports an average of 6 tons of rescued food per day! Since 1988, the program has distributed more than 32 million pounds of food throughout Washtenaw County. Food Gatherers is able to recover and deliver a pound of food for less than the price of a postage stamp!

SO WHAT IS THE STORY BEHIND THE CARROT?
Carrots are Food Gatherers’ unofficial logo. Can you think of an item of food that lasts longer, is as nutritious, or is anywhere near as cute as a carrot? Food Gatherers prides itself on delivering fresh, nutritious food, and carrots are so very practical! They can be used in salads, as a side dish, and even as a dessert! Carrots also have deep roots in the soil and Food Gatherers has deep roots in this community.

HOW CAN I CONTACT FOOD GATHERERS?
There is a role for everyone to play in the fight against hunger! You can fight hunger in tangible ways by donating food, money, or your time to Food Gatherers. Please feel free to call us and ask questions about hunger relief in Washtenaw County.

If you'd like a printable one-page version of this information, please download our handy pdf!

Food Gatherers in a Nutshell - 0108

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