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Many kind words flooded social media Wednesday and Thursday after the publication of an NPR story that detailed the work we’re doing at Foodlink.

The crux of the article, titled, “Beyond Pantries: This Food Bank Invests in theLocal Community,” touched on the evolving landscape of food banking, and how Foodlink is leading the charge through several innovative programs. We still collect and distribute food, but the development of food access and nutrition education programs, our brand new commercial kitchen, food processing and workforce development initatives is where the future lies. 

After explaining Foodlink’s Value-Added Processing goals, the article says:

“It’s outside the realm of what most people think of when they think of a food bank,” says Julia Tedesco, the executive director of Foodlink. But this aligns with the organization’s mission, she adds. By investing in the local economy, the organization has been able to tackle the root cause of hunger – poverty.

Foodlink has nearly doubled its staff since it started investing in local produce, therefore creating new jobs for the community. At the same time school children are eating more nutritious scratch-cooked foods. It’s a way for Foodlink to “nourish this community by nourishing the economy and the individuals in it,” says Tedesco.

Aside from Tedesco, others quoted in the story include Janet Poppendieck, a senior fellow at the CUNY Urban Food Policy Institute; and Andy Fisher, cofounder of the non-profit Community Food Security Coalition and author of Big Hunger: the Unholy Alliance Between Corporate America and Anti-Hunger Groups.

Thanks to all who have reached out to us on social media to offer their congrats!