GBFB and Rich’s Transportation Services Bring Special Delivery to Taunton

On July 11, GBFB traveled to Taunton, MA for a cross-dock delivery of 55,000 pounds of food to over 20 of its member agencies. Cross-docking enables GBFB to unload and transfer food from its semi-trailer trucks onto donated shipping docks, and directly to agency trucks, trailers, or cars, with no storage in between. For many agencies in and around Taunton, getting to GBFB’s Yawkey Distribution Center in Boston is a logistical challenge. “Cross-docking provides a real convenience to our member agencies from outlying communities. The GBFB service area extends throughout Eastern Massachusetts, so this delivery approach makes it possible for many to get the food they need – without having to come into Boston”, said Bob Hurley, GBFB’s Director of Warehousing and Logistics. The cross-docking occurred at Rich’s Transportation Services, a GBFB partner who has generously allowed the utilization of dock space in its warehouse three Wednesdays each month. Because of the high demand, Rich’s will donate space for a fourth drop each month beginning in August, enabling more agencies to take advantage of the Taunton delivery. This distribution site is one of five, which are located in Harwich, Taunton, New Bedford, Salem, and Plymouth. Each distribution or cross-dock site is donated by local companies or member agencies for regional deliveries. The Greater Boston Food Bank used two tractor trailers to deliver the 55,000 pounds of food to Taunton. From there, it was distributed to agencies from surrounding communities such as East Bridgewater, Bridgewater, South Attleboro, Mansfield, Seekonk, Middleborough, Foxboro, Fall River, Raynham, Attleboro, New Bedford, Wareham, and Somerset. The food provided to agencies was enough for 42,350 meals to children, families, and seniors in need.