Food Bank Rolls Out New Truck to Help Feed the Hungry
A new Food Bank for Westchester truck that was unveiled last week will help the organization recover at least twice the amount of excess food from supermarkets and other commercial establishments throughout the county.
Funded by a grant from Purchase-based PepsiCo, the Food Bank acquired a 16-foot refrigerated Freightliner to add to its fleet. About 10 feet shorter than the rest of its trucks, it will be able to maneuver in tight quarters and narrow streets that are common in many lower Westchester communities, such as Yonkers, Mount Vernon and New Rochelle, said Ellen Lynch, the Food Bank’s executive director.
Until now, the Food Bank has been unable to retrieve food from more supermarkets in its Retail Recovery Program because it has been difficult for drivers to expediently get into and out of some locations.
Supermarkets that are part of the program have donated excess food, including more nutritious produce, that in many instances would be thrown out. The program also includes larger bakeries and specialty food stores.
PepsiCo, a longtime supporter of the Food Bank since shortly after the organization’s launch in 1988, provided the grant that bought the $90,000 truck and another $70,000 in related expenses, including first year operating costs. Last Wednesday, the new truck left on its maiden voyage from the Food Bank’s 37,000-square-foot distribution center in Elmsford.
“They’re supporting us in every possible way and this is one fabulous example of it and it really helps us be able to take food that’s available in the county that would otherwise go to waste,” Lynch said of PepsiCo’s effort.
Last year, the Retail Recovery Program provided 271,000 meals to hungry families in Westchester, said Toby Pidgeon, director of operations for the Food Bank. Estimates project that about 550,000 meals will be provided annually as a result of the new truck, he said.
Sue Norton, PepsiCo’s vice president of global citizenship, said the corporation jumped at the chance when Food Bank representatives approached them about obtaining a truck that would help it to reach thousands of needy families.
“We’ve made the donation to fund the truck and the driver and had a fun time designing (the outside) of the truck in a way that brought to light the Food Bank vision and mission and the vision that we have at PepsiCo for serving Westchester,” said Norton.
The Food Bank has been picking up food at all Stop & Shop locations throughout Westchester and at select A&P and Shop-Rite stores, Pidgeon said. Other stores participating in the recovery program are Whole Foods, DeCicco’s, Sam’s Club, Trader Joe’s and BJ’s Wholesale Club. Other stores are invited to sign on as well.
“We already have 30 pickups on schedule for the PepsiCo truck,” Pidgeon said.
Also on hand for the truck’s launch was Deputy County Executive Kevin Plunkett, who called last Wednesday “a very special day.”
“This is something to celebrate in Westchester County, not because of the county but because of the people who will benefit,” Plunkett said.
The Food Bank distributes about 7.2 million pounds of food each year to 265 hunger relief programs, including food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters and day care and residential centers. It is estimated that about 200,000 Westchester residents are hungry or considered at risk of going hungry.
Retailers interested in participating in the recovery program should contact Food Bank Food Sourcing Manager Bob Silvia at 914-909-9621.
Martin has more than 30 years experience covering local news in Westchester and Putnam counties, including a frequent focus on zoning and planning issues. He has been editor-in-chief of The Examiner since its inception in 2007. Read more from Martin’s editor-author bio here. Read Martin’s archived work here: https://www.theexaminernews.com/author/martin-wilbur2007/