NORTHFIELD, Minn. September 30, 2011 — A giant in the U.S. affordable food distribution system has stopped operations. Angel Food Ministries (AFM) had provided affordable food to more than 45 states. The increased price of fuel and food, along with a growing number of customers who were unable to pay, contributed to a decline in sales.
Angel Food Ministries was a non-profit, non-denominational organization, dedicated to providing food relief and financial support to communities throughout the United States. While Atlanta was their home base, boxes of food purchased at affordable prices were distributed through local sites across the country.
Last year we brought AFM food to town to supplement our growing need for affordable food. As a board member of Northfield Community Action Center, I watched the number of people seeking food from the Food Shelf climb. It appeared that we needed more options. So I organized meetings, championed a site proposal, and cheered when we received our first food from AFM.
Help Reduce Hunger was my headline on September 28, 2010. We were proud to announce the start-up here. Now, a year later we are sad to see it end. About twenty volunteers helped manage our community site. "We have some great people that are willing to serve in this way, and certainly there are needs in the community as the recession rolls on," says Paul Graham, a local sponsor.
At the first food drop, I met a single woman with four teenage sons. She had ordered four food boxes for $132. This would feed her family of five 28 balanced meals. She told me that buying her food here meant she had cash to put gasoline into her car to get to work.
One year ago, as I wrote in my earlier column, “‘Angel Food Ministries currently have about 5,000 Host Sites in 45 states," according to Kelly Wood, Angel Food Ministries, and Ministry Development Department. At that time, more than 500,000 families per month were benefiting from this program. Over 50,000 volunteers help to distribute affordable food. Now a giant in affordable food has fallen, a victim itself of these hard economic times.
Here is an excerpt of the notice from the Angel Food Ministries web site:
"Angel Food Ministries has considered many options regarding our future. At this time we regret to inform you that we have not found a solution that will allow Angel Food Ministries to continue to distribute food on a monthly basis and have decided to cease operations. We realize the pressure that this places on our host sites, community food banks and customers.
"However, there is a group of former employees and food vendors that are working to find a better way of serving those who have come to depend on Angel Food. Unfortunately, many if not all other food ministries have gone out of business in recent years. Angel Food has not been immune from the same economic and market conditions that led to the loss of other food ministries.
"It's important to note that in the past we never relied on donations; less than 1% of annual revenues have come from donations. We are grateful that we have been able to help tens of millions of customers save hundreds of millions of dollars in food costs. We also are grateful to have been able to return about $24 million to our church host sites and other partner organizations.
"We are comforted by the thousands of comments we have received expressing support for Angel Food Ministries and the great need to continue helping those in need."
When I read the announcement, I shared it with a champion for “accessible food for all,” Jim Blaha, the director of the local Food Shelf, who initiated the idea for our town. He was unaware of the closing. He immediately responded, “Do we want to meet with the food crew, talk about any other model of delivery to replace AFM?”
Angel Food Ministries was another piece of the puzzle, along with the Food Shelf and community gardens, reducing hunger. Now an important piece will be missing. And the Food Shelf will see some of the individuals and families on its doorstep now.
Please Comment: Does your community have affordable food programs? What are they and how do they work?
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Read more from Donna Rae Scheffert at Washington Times Communities and Online Leadership Tools.
Donna Rae is an award winning writer, consultant, planner, facilitator, and coach. One Minnesota organization gave her a coveted ‘Futures’ award. Another named her the 2002 Outstanding Faculty member. She has co-authored five books and numerous articles. She is the founder of the consulting firm Leadership Tools.
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