Monday, February 29, 2016

March is National Nutrition Month


March is National Nutrition Month and a great time to engage with pantry patrons on topics related to nutrition.   Nutrition plays an important role in ending hunger in Maine.  Providing patrons with nutritious foods supports a healthy life where kids can learn and families can be healthy and productive.












Families report that they need and want healthy food items.  How can pantries support the use of these products?











Try something simple to promote these healthier food option during National Nutrition Month.
·         Pair a recipe with a healthy food option.  Having the recipe right next to an item has shown to support the selection of the item.  To find a recipe, go to https://www.gsfb.org/how-we-help/nutrition/
·         Hang a MyPlate poster in the pantry.  You can find a free printable poster at http://www.choosemyplate.gov/sites/default/files/printablematerials/MyPlateOnePageGraphic.pdf
·         Print one of the “10 Tips” sheets.  There are 13 different tip sheets to choose from, choose one or more that suit your pantry.  http://www.choosemyplate.gov/10-tips-nutrition-education-series


Good Shepherd Food Bank's Nutrition and Education team is available to support your pantry.  Please reach out to Courtney Kennedy, Nutrition and Education Manager, ckennedy@gsfb.org or 207-577-4847 for more ideas.

Thursday, February 25, 2016

Capacity Building Grant Cycle to Begin in April

Good Shepherd Food Bank will launch its 2016 Capacity Building Grant cycle on April 1st.

Application and program outline materials will be posted on GSFB’s website and emailed to all Tier 2 agencies (food pantries, soup kitchens, emergency shelters, and youth programs) on April 1st.
  • Application deadline will be June 1st
  • Awards will be announced by August 1st.
  • Grant agreements will be due back to the Food Bank by September 1st.
  • Awards will be issued after September 1st.
  • Reporting will be due to the Food Bank by December 1st (though some funders may require a different reporting schedule).


Program outline materials will include how much funding an agency can request and whether funding is limited to a particular project or purchase (cold storage, for example) in keeping with the funders’ requirements.

Look for more information on April 1st.

GSFB Network is a blog for partner agencies of Good Shepherd Food Bank focused on feeding Maine's hungry.