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In a Nutshell
(or the story behind the carrot)
WHAT DOES FOOD GATHERERS DO?
Food Gatherers exists to alleviate hunger and eliminate its causes
in our community by: reducing food waste through the rescue and
distribution of perishable and non-perishable food, coordinating
with other hunger relief providers, educating the public about
hunger, and developing new food resources.
HOW DID FOOD GATHERERS COME ABOUT?
Food Gatherers is not only Michigan’s first food rescue
program, but the first program of its kind to be founded by a
for-profit business, our own Zingerman’s Delicatessen. In
1997, Food Gatherers also assumed responsibility for the county
food bank. Today, it is an independent 501(c)3 not-for-profit
organization governed by a board of directors and operated by
15 staff people and close to 5,000 different dedicated volunteers.
Food Gatherers is now the primary distributor of food in Washtenaw
County.
WHERE DOES ALL THAT FOOD COME FROM?
We glean surplus food from more than 300 sources including restaurants
like Tio’s Southwestern Cafe, food retailers like Busch’s
Fresh Food Market, food wholesalers like Gordon’s Food Service
and University of Michigan dormitories. Our association with The
Food Bank Council of Michigan connects us to statewide food donations,
and through Feeding America—the national network of food
banks—we are connected to large corporate donors such as
Kraft, ConAgra and Kellogg. Then there are people like you who
donate canned items, food from gardens, dry goods and money. Food
Gatherers exists because of the caring and generosity of many
individuals in the community!
WHERE DOES THE FOOD GO?
Food Gatherers provides enough food for more than 8,000 meals
a day. Food Gatherers brings the food to more than 150 community
programs serving our neighbors - mostly families and children
- in need of food. The agencies receiving our food include St.
Andrews Breakfast Program, Dawn Farm, Salvation Army, SOS Community
Services and Hope Clinic.
WHAT IS THE COMMUNITY KITCHEN?
Food Gatherers operates the Community Kitchen, which is located
in the Robert J. Delonis Center, home of the Shelter Association
of Washtenaw County. Volunteers transform rescued and bulk food
into useful food resources, and prepare and serve daily meals
to hundreds of people in need. Food Gatherers operates the Community
Kitchen Job Training Program, a culinary training program for
at-risk youth who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Our
partner, the Chain of Plenty/YMCA, provides job training to special
needs high school students.
HOW SUCCESSFUL IS FOOD GATHERERS?
As they say, the proof is in the pudding, or rather the pounds
of pudding. In the first year of operation with one staff person,
a borrowed vehicle, and an attic office, Food Gatherers transported
about 2,400 pounds of food. Today Food Gatherers has a huge warehouse,
several vehicles, and a corps of volunteers that transports more
than 7 tons of food per day! Since 1988, the program has distributed
more than 35 million pounds of food throughout Washtenaw County.
Food Gatherers is able to recover and deliver a pound of food
for less than the price of a postage stamp!
SO WHAT IS THE STORY BEHIND THE CARROT?
Carrots are Food Gatherers’ unofficial logo. Can you think
of an item of food that lasts longer, is as nutritious, or is
anywhere near as cute as a carrot? Food Gatherers prides itself
on delivering fresh, nutritious food, and carrots are so very
practical! They can be used in salads, as a side dish, and even
as a dessert! Carrots also have deep roots in the soil and Food
Gatherers has deep roots in this community.
HOW CAN I CONTACT FOOD GATHERERS?
There is a role for everyone to play in the fight against hunger!
You can fight hunger in tangible ways by donating food, money,
or your time to Food Gatherers. Please feel free to call us and
ask questions about hunger relief in Washtenaw County.
If you'd like a printable one-page version of this information,
please download our handy pdf!
 Food
Gatherers in a Nutshell (0509) PDF
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