How can emergency food programs promote good nutrition?
Most emergency food providers are at the mercy of whatever food donations they are able to secure as they struggle to meet rising demand for emergency food. This means that that the food they have to offer often does not reflect the nutritional needs of emergency food recipients. A growing number of food bankers and direct service providers are tackling these challenges in a variety of innovative ways, as described in the publications Building The Bridge: Linking Food Banking and Community Food Security (PDF) and Going Beyond Emergency Food: A Guide for Providers (PDF). Many are incorporating nutrition education into their services to help participants make the healthiest choices possible and to prepare nutritious meals on a low budget. Some are connecting with local farmers and gardeners to incorporate fresh fruits and vegetables into their food supplies. Others are starting their own food production systems, or helping community members in under-served areas to start community garden
