Governor’s Service Project Brings Student Volunteers to GBFB

January 30, 2013

Governor’s Service Project Brings Student Volunteers to GBFB

On January 26, 45 students from across Massachusetts gathered to volunteer at GBFB as part of Project 351, Governor Patrick’s annual initiative that brings together 351 eighth graders – one from each Massachusetts city and town– for a day of service. This is the third year the students have visited GBFB.

This year, participants packed 1,200 BackPacks and sorted 5,000 pounds of frozen protein, including chicken, pork and beef. Their work made more than 7,500 meals possible. Governor Patrick visited to help with both projects, congratulate the students on their extraordinary achievements, and thank GBFB team members for their support and assistance.

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Food For Thought

Local manufacturers represent 28% of GBFB's acquired food. Major donors include Garelick Farms, Ken's Foods, Kettle Cuisine, Mama Rosie's, Ocean Spray, Welch's, Teddie Peanut Butter, Kayem, Pier Fish, Tribe Mediterranean, Gold Medal Bakery, Old Neighborhood, Jacobs Farms, Greencore USA, Yoplait/Columbo, Vitasoy USA, Genoa Sausage.
Food For Thought

Donated produce represents 12% of GBFB's acquired food. As part of the Feeding America produce program, we receive half to full trailer loads of high quality produce. Frequent local donors include State Garden and Community Suffolk, and Costa Fruit & Produce.
Food For Thought

USDA/TEFAP (Emergency Food Assistance Program) represents 19% of GBFB's acquired food. The USDA purchases food and ships it to each state. Here, it's administered by the Massachusetts Department of Education. The program includes staple commodities such as fruit juice, frozen meat, rice, canned beans, and eggs.
Food For Thought

Coop program represents 4% of GBFB's acquired food. The program allows agencies to supplement existing inventory with highly desired items, though a cooperative purchasing program. This strategy uses our collective purchasing power to save money on food purchases so we can pass the savings on to our agencies.
Food For Thought

Other purchased products represent 3% of GBFB's acquired food. This includes food purchased by The Food Bank and distributed for free to agencies. Also includes turkeys purchased at Thanksgiving through the online turkey drive.
Food For Thought

Food drives represent 1% of GBFB's acquired food. These include non-perishable donations by organizations and individuals. Yearly events include Attorney General's Legal Food Frenzy, Red Sox Can and Cash Drive, Temple Beth Israel for Yom Kippur.
Food For Thought

MEFAP (Massachusetts Emergency Food Assistance Program) represents 32% of GBFB's acquired food. Purchased food with MA state funds goes toward staple food items such as turkey, rice, peanut butter, and beans. Vendors for MEFAP include Agar, Pioneer Valley Growers Association, Our Family Farms.
Food For Thought

Special program via retail donations are a major part of GBFB's acquired food. Over one million pounds of meat, produce and other highly desirable food donations have been generated from the retail program. Participating retailers include Shaw's, Stop & Shop, BJ's Wholesale Club, Walmart, and Hannaford's and Trader Joe's.