An Indianapolis nonprofit is helping to fight food insecurity by connecting food banks with fresh, nutritious proteins. What started as two people driving a box truck around the city has grown into a multi-state effort to supply fresh eggs and dairy products to more than 15,000 food pantries nationwide.
This year, HATCH for Hunger has donated 5 million dozen eggs to food banks nationwide, equating to over 100 million meals for families. Hunger can weaken individuals and families’ ability to reach their full potential and costs more money in the long run through increased health care costs and reliance on government programs, according to No Kid Hungry.
“We believe that two eggs in the morning change a life; we believe that nutritional security is possible; and we believe that nutritious food is a human right and not a privilege,” HATCH Executive Director Danny Leckie said. “So, we’re really working together with partners who we think can help provide that to the community.”
In Indiana alone, one in nine Hoosiers are facing food insecurity. Food banks play a critical role in ending hunger and achieving food security, according to the Global Food Banking Network.
Oftentimes fresh foods are more expensive and more difficult to access, said Fresh Connect Central Senior Director Jeff McDonald.
More often than not, the burden of hunger and food insecurity falls heavily on marginalized communities and especially single-parent households.
Eggs can play an even more important role in fighting food insecurity. One egg contains half the protein a child needs for the day, and two eggs equate to one meal, Leckie said.
Each day Gleaners Food Bank cycles about 900 households in and out of the drive-thru food bank. Gleaners provides nearly 100,000 dozen eggs to households every month.
They have the capability to pick and choose fresh food directly from farmers, McDonald said, providing a unique opportunity for Indianapolis residents to receive fresh produce, including varieties of fruits and vegetables, leafy greens and starches.
When individuals and families are hungry, they struggle with high levels of stress and have little energy to do much more than meet basic needs, according to the Global Food Banking Network. Food-insecure adults and children have higher rates of mental health issues and are more at risk for chronic diseases.
“Gleaners has this awesome capability to get all sorts of different varieties and whatever quantities that they want to distribute out to the community,” McDonald said. “So, it means more fresh, nutritious options for the neighbors here in Indianapolis, which is a huge victory.”
Contact staff writer Jayden Kennett at 317-762-7847 or by email jaydenk@indyrecorder.com. Follow her on Twitter @JournoJay
