Family Medicine Residency of Idaho (FMRI) recently honored The Idaho Foodbank with the inaugural Community Partnership Award for its effort to help those with food insecurity in the Treasure Valley.
We are in the middle of harvest season and our warehouse features a good variety of local produce. From the orchard in Caldwell, the pears are full and plentiful. Plums are also abundant. This season, we are starting to receive early onions from harvests that will continue for the coming months. We also have peaches that will be on their way to The Idaho Foodbank. Thank you to Idaho’s hard-working farmers for their generous donations.
Troy Food Bank, nestled in the hills in North Central Idaho, enjoys a picturesque landscape with beautiful small-town charm. June Miner and Leitha Witt are working to change the food landscape for community members. The pantry, located in the 100-year-old Seventh Day Adventist Church, is small but mighty.
The Idaho Foodbank facility in Pocatello recently hosted their first Family Day of Volunteering. This was an opportunity for families with children as young as four years old to volunteer at the warehouse.
The United States Department of Agriculture recently announced an update to the Thrifty Food Plan. The Thrifty Food Plan is used to calculate SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits. SNAP is also referred to as food stamps. This Thrifty Food Plan update was required by the bipartisan 2018 Farm Bill. This modernizes SNAP to reflect healthy eating recommendations and food prices.
Crisp, sweet, and nutritious apples. They can be sliced, diced, and paired with delicious dipping sauces. Incorporating this nutrient-dense fruit in our diets can aid everything from digestion to protection against free radicals (cancer-causing molecules). Eating apples is a great way to incorporate more fiber, potassium, and vitamin C into our diet. In combination with a balanced diet, these nutrients can aid in chronic illness prevention. Apples are an easy, healthy snack with vast benefits!
September’s Staff Spotlight is on Rhoda Hall, who works in the Gift Processing Department in Meridian.
The Idaho Foodbank is hosting a statewide Back to School campaign for the entire month of September. In an effort to support kids all over Idaho who are experiencing hunger, the campaign will raise funds for the Backpack and School Pantry programs. There will be activities in the Treasure Valley and across Idaho during the month to support children through school-based programs.
For those in need, The Idaho Foodbank will be sponsoring a Treasure Valley food distribution on Saturday, August 28 from 10 AM to 2 PM in the parking lot of our Meridian warehouse. Note: In order to minimize traffic congestion, instead of using Commercial Court please use E. Pine Avenue and enter through N. Touchmark Ave.
Health starts where we live, learn, work and play. Many people only think of healthcare services when envisioning health, but 70% of our health is determined by behavior and environment. In addition to doctor visits, access to nutritious food, education, stable and affordable housing, transportation, and air/water quality in our environment are all part of what is known as social determinants of health.
The Giving Cupboard in Rigby, Idaho found a new way to serve their community members over the last year. Naomi Schilling and her team of volunteers operate in a converted warehouse outside of town.
It is currently Harvest Season and it is a great time of year for fresh fruits and vegetables. We know fresh produce is not always readily available, so here is a helpful guide when choosing among frozen, canned, or fresh fruits and vegetables. This chart has tips on the pros and cons of each type of produce.
