Tag: Featured-21

Did you miss this year’s online event? Thank you to everyone who supported our annual event. You can still watch it and learn more about these innovative chefs, our generous…

September was a month full of creativity, generosity and a reminder of how much we can accomplish together. Thank you to everyone who participated in Back to School month across the state, helping us to raise the funds and awareness needed to set Idaho kids and their families up for success this school year. Thanks to you and your support of the Backpack and School Pantry programs, Idaho children will have access to the nutritious food needed to learn and grow.

Roger and Nancy Gibson are an example of how the community in Pocatello comes together to support children facing insecurity. For many Idaho children, the meals they receive at school are their primary sources of nutrition for the day. The Idaho Foodbank’s Backpack Program supplements this food for some Idaho children by providing food for the weekend that fits in a child’s backpack on Friday.

According to the latest Map the Meal Gap report, it is estimated that 1 in 8 Idaho children may experience food insecurity this year. Food insecurity is more than having basic human needs go unmet – it has profound implications for education, health and quality of life. Most of us can understand the fear and stress that accompanies hunger, but there are unique challenges when a child is experiencing hunger.

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 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.

Harvest season is the time of year when we all enjoy fruits and vegetables at the peak of freshness. At The Idaho Foodbank, harvest reminds us of the value of fresh produce in living a healthy life, as well as the generosity of our Idaho growers. Over one-third of the food we provided in fiscal year 2021 were fruits and vegetables.

Mike Vanderkooi has been a volunteer at The Idaho Foodbank’s Pocatello facility for more than 10 years. Mike also has Multiple Sclerosis. When the pandemic hit, he was unable to attend volunteer sessions and was devastated that he had to stay home. While he did get to practice his diamond dot skills, he missed helping and supporting his community.

Idaho Beef Council Vice-Chair, Bill Lickley talks about the ten-year anniversary of Beef Counts and how the Idaho beef industry works together to supply families in need with nutritious beef products to promote nutrition. This was filmed at an Idaho Beef Council distribution in Gooding last summer during the height of the pandemic. To recognize Idaho Beef Month and help thank the ranchers and the beef industry we will be featuring articles, recipes and other useful information. We cannot over-emphasize the need for nutritious protein to help our neighbors in Idaho who struggle with food insecurity.