Getting food to SMFB is a careful, strategic, and ongoing process—one that involves partnerships, purchasing, and a lot of behind-the-scenes coordination.
Our Food Sourcing & Inventory Manager, Mike, oversees our food sourcing process. He works with a wide network of partners to ensure we have the right food to feed our neighbors facing food insecurity.
Where Our Food Comes From
The food we receive at SMFB that gets distributed out to our 380+ agency partners, comes from various different locations, such as local farms, USDA, or retail stores. Some retail stores we partner with include Dollar General, Target, Walmart, Costco, and more.
But donations alone aren’t enough to meet the demand. We also buy food from a variety of vendors across the country. These vendors help us secure fresh, high-quality food and fill in gaps when donations can’t meet the community’s needs.
Mike’s sourcing process starts with connections at retail stores, farms, vendors, and wholesalers. When a potential opportunity arises, he checks the quantity and expiration dates, then compares pricing to ensure we’re getting the best value before buying!
A few years ago, about 60% of our food was purchased and the rest was donated. But with reductions in USDA-provided food, that amount has increased. Now, about 80% of the food we distribute is purchased. This means our ability to buy food is more critical than ever to keeping shelves stocked.
Why Food Sourcing Matters
Food sourcing isn’t just about quantity—it’s about quality, variety, and meeting the needs of the neighbors we serve. We work to source bulk items to be used for our Clean Room and to source culturally diverse foods so that families can prepare familiar, comforting meals at home.
At the end of the day, food sourcing is a behind-the-scenes job that has a very real impact on every meal we provide. Without careful sourcing, we couldn’t keep up with the growing demand or ensure our community has access to food that is both nourishing and delicious.
