Build capacity for offering more than food
We know that it takes more than food to end hunger.
The More Than Food framework is an evidence-based strategy that focuses on building the capacity of food pantries to provide more than just transactional distributions of food. We build the capacity of agencies to: offer a welcoming Culture, provide healthy Choice, and offer Connections to community resources using warm referrals, partnerships, and coaching.
3 C’s of the More Than Food Framework
Welcoming Culture
Healthy Choice
Connections to Community Resources
“We have successfully moved into our new location, have increased our service area to include 2 additional towns, and have welcomed our guests to shop in a pantry that closely resembles a store where we have removed limits on almost all products. Thank you for the vision you shared in your book, and for taking the time to speak with our board and volunteers when we were still just dreaming of making this a reality!”
— Catherine Lynott, The Outreach House
Resources
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Offering Full Choice in Food Pantries is Feasible and Improves Pantry Operations
This report is based on a 2022 study that explores the barriers, facilitators and impact of offering full choice at food pantries. Of pantries that increased choice, 79% said overall operations improved.
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Offering Choice at Food Pantries: Impact for Families
This research brief is based on a 2022-2023 project that included participation from 30 food banks in the Feeding America network. Research showed that neighbors had a better experience at food pantries that offered full choice.
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Interactive Course: Change Talk
Change Talk is a strengths-based training program with two self-paced, interactive courses for food pantry and food bank staff to build skills around motivational interviewing (MI) to support positive changes in people’s lives.
“I am proud to report that we transitioned to 100% neighbor (client) choice a few months ago and our experience bears out all that you share in your book. Again, I can’t thank you enough for sharing your work and experience and hopefully our paths will cross.”
— Rob Joynt, Food Services Specialist, Marillac St. Vincent Family Services
