The third meeting of the Greater Fall River Hunger Network and Greater Boston Food Bank (GBFB) took place at the new HealthFirst Family Care Center on September 19, 2012. The meeting covered a number of topics of concern to the participants including a discussion of "food rescue" or the recovery of unsold food from manufacturers, restaurants and other food outlets for donation to soup kitchens and food pantries. United Neighbors outreach and technology coordinator Brittany Bertone summarized a report on food waste in Massachusetts that accounted for 880,000 tons of food in 2002. Supermarkets and restaurants are a major contributor along with schools, hospitals, correctional facilities and major food distributors. The group began discussion of ways that Fall River could address the problem locally using models such as City Harvest and Lovin Spoonfuls. Click here for a ten-minute video of the meeting. For more information about the schedule of upcoming, contact Lisa Alves of the WIC Program at HealthFirst at 508-679-9349. 

(Top row) Fall River Food Bank coordinator Dave Perry asks participants to introduce themselves, including (center) United Neighbors outreach and technology coordinator Brittany Bertone, (and right) Ferry Street Ministries, Inc. Pastor John Hopkins, and Outreach Specialist Faith BonJovi. (Row two) Citizens for Citizens Food Pantry coordinator Chrystal Arpa and Episcopal Diocese Life Together intern Elizabeth Malkin respond to a presentation by Ms. Bertone on the Good Samaritan law and "food rescue" from food distributors and restaurants. (Row three) Lisa Alves of the WIC Program makes some suggestions that the Hunger Network might wish to consider before Jonathan Tetrault of the Greater Boston Food Bank describes the work of Lovin Spoonfuls. (Bottom row) Lisa, Jonathan, Wendy Garf-Lipp of United Neighbors of Fall River, Brittany, Elizabeth, Kathy Murphy of United Interfaith Action, Dave and Christy talk following the meeting.