Food Procurement & Warehousing
MCHPP utilizes a variety of strategies and partnerships in order to procure the food our programs distribute in their work to make healthy food accessible to everyone in mid coast Maine. All food comes to our warehouse for sorting and/or storage before going out to the community via one of MCHPP’s programs or through a Pantry Partner agency.
30 farms. 14 retailers. 1.53 Million Pounds.
Sources of Food
Retail Partners
Retail Partnerships account for a large percentage of MCHPP’s donated food. Volunteers pick up from 14 stores each week, many more than once, and bring the product to our Food Bank for sorting. Any food we are unable to use in our programs is donated to local livestock farmers or composted. This greatly reduces the amount of food waste going to landfills from retailers in our service area.
Community Donations
Many of our large food donations come from generous individuals, community food drives, and local food businesses. We are so grateful for this support which helps ensure we have a supply of our most frequently requested items.
Have questions about a bulk donation? Contact Andrew at awoodring@mchpp.org or 207-725-2716 x309.
Purchased Product
MCHPP is a partner agency of Good Shepherd Food Bank. When our programs are in need product that is not often donated or that we don’t receive in large quantities, we supplement our supply with purchased food. Frequently purchased foods include peanut butter, boxed cereal, and the snacks and meals used in our Youth Services Program.
Local Farm Contracts
Starting in 2020, due to economic challenges facing local farms during the COVID-19 pandemic, MCHPP launched our Farm to Pantry initiative. Each year, we commit to purchasing as much of our in-season produce as possible from local farm partners.
The program works to ensure MCHPP has access to high-quality, sustainably-grown produce to distribute to our guests while also providing area farmers with a predictable market even if faced with decreases in demand from their other buyers. Farm to Pantry partners include Six River Farm, Whatley Farm, Crystal Spring Farm, and many more.
Interested in hosting a food drive to benefit MCHPP? Thank you! To learn more please visit our Food Drives & Donations page.
Looking to make a personal food donation? Please review our Donated Food Guidelines.
Our Food Bank Warehouse
The Food Bank is where our food is delivered, processed, stored, and distributed. Monday through Saturday, volunteers collect and help sort the meats, produce, nonperishables, breads, and pastries donated to our agency. Food comes from all over the community, including supermarkets, farmers, food drives, and individuals like you. After it arrives at the Food Bank, volunteers sort through each item to ensure quality and freshness. Then items are either stored in the Food Bank, given out in the Food Pantry, made into delicious meals in the Soup Kitchen, used for our other programs, or distributed to local pantries.
