More Choice = Less Waste
The Dobbs Ferry Food Pantry always strives to do better. Earlier this year, we switched from giving all the clients the same bag of produce to letting them pick what they wanted. If you don’t like cauliflower, no need to carry it home.
This June we made a similar switch with our pantry staples. Previously we had a tremendous team on Monday nights who packed up over 100 boxes of supplies. The same supplies in every box, every week. But, like the rest of us, our clients don’t have the same wants and needs every week. So we made a change. Instead of pre-packed boxes, we’re bringing out the cans and containers so our clients have a choice of what they bring home. Don’t need any more peanut butter, then take an extra tuna fish. Prefer rice to pasta. Choose that instead.
As you can imagine, this leads to more heavy lifting on Wednesday mornings. And a slightly slower line moving though all the tables. But what we’re seeing is less food waste. Clients are not taking what they don’t need or like. And we can see what choices they are making and try to provide more of those options. It’s good for our bottom line, good for our clients, and good for the planet. Win, win, win. (In case you are wondering, canned string beans are not particularly popular but canned corn and beans are.)
While we’re on the topic of preventing food waste, we pick up leftover breads and pastry from Panera in Scarsdale, organic foods from MOM’s Organic Market in Dobbs Ferry, and bagels from The Shop and Sunshine Bagels in Ardsley. We keep these foods out of landfills and get them into kitchens. Know someplace local with food to donate? Get in touch!
SOS Boxes
For many of our clients, summer means that their kids no longer receive a free breakfast and lunch at school. So the pantry steps in with our SOS bags (School’s Out Supplement). They contain easy to make breakfast and lunch options. We’re grateful to Michelle Peluso, Cole and Marc Fader and their circle of influencers who provide food as well as pack up the bags. Want to help with this effort? We could use more cereals and healthy snacks.
Grateful to Our Neighbors
The Dobbs Ferry Food Pantry is run by volunteers and we depend upon the generosity of our neighbors to do all that we do.
A big thank you to the Cookery Restaurant in Dobbs Ferry and Goosefeathers Restaurant in Tarrytown who teamed up to do a festive fundraiser for the pantry. The cookout they threw on Memorial Day weekend was more than just a delicious day for their guests. They made a contribution of $3,000 to the pantry. Being in the restaurant business they realize that rising food costs has a deep impact on the most vulnerable in our community. Thanks Chefs!
We receive continuing support from United Ardsley Methodist Church, Temple Beth Shalom, Zion Episcopal Church and the Scarsdale Women’s Club. Stop and Shop is a generous contributor. The Roots & Wings CSA contributes local produce weekly. (photo below left)
Above right: A diaper delivery from Deb, Abby and Mary, members of the Scarsdale Women’s Club.
Did you meet us on Main Street during the 150th anniversary celebration? Follow us on Instagram to see where we’ll pop up next.
Items Most Needed: kid-friendly foods (see above), personal hygiene products, oil, vinegar, low-sugar cereals.
Sharon Bilman wrote this month’s newsletter. She’s usually behind the scenes sorting donations. You can keep her busy by dropping off donations anytime in the bin by the front doors.
Dobbs Ferry Food Pantry 