Saving Grace Adapts Distribution Model to Meet Emerging Needs for More Food
Saving Grace Perishable Food Rescue (savinggracefoodrescue.org) is adapting its logistics and distribution model to meet emerging needs for more food to feed the hungry during the pandemic. When donations from regular food donors dropped because of business closures and supply-chain issues, Saving Grace joined the community conversation addressing increased food insecurity. Offering Saving Grace’s transportation and logistics services led to partnerships with the Omaha Restaurant Association, Food Bank for the Heartland, Millard Public Schools, Catholic Charities, and the COVID-19 Garden/Farming Response group. Capacity-building was also a focus, as a new refrigerated van and two team members—a deputy director and manager of field operations—were added.
“The pandemic underscored the need for greater equity in access to healthy perishable foods, and this expansion enables us to make a larger impact,” said CEO and Founder Beth Ostdiek Smith.
During 2020, this response to the pandemic resulted in Saving Grace transporting 700,000 pounds of nutritious perishable food. As businesses closed their kitchens, Saving Grace rescued their surplus food. Drivers also transported Farmers to Families food boxes from partner locations to other nonprofits that feed the hungry.
Since operations began in October 2013, Saving Grace Perishable Food Rescue has rescued 5,367,709 pounds of perishable food. This translates to 2,680 tons of food that has been kept out of the landfills. To learn more, call (402) 215- 6718 or visit savinggracefoodrescue.org.