What is the Food Banks new role in USDA (public) food distribution?
The Lowcountry Food Bank is fully committed to addressing the root causes of hunger in its communities. For many years, the organization focused its advocacy efforts on the formidable task of USDA reform. Until June 1, 2000, the South Carolina Department of Social Services stored public food commodities in corporate warehouses in Columbia. The government distributed this food from trucks parked in shopping malls and other locations throughout the state only four days out of the year (one day each quarter). The paperwork was also prohibitive, especially in the poorest communities where many people lack reading and writing skills. Because of these barriers, much of the food expired in storage at the expense of the taxpayer. In response, the Department of Social Services contracted the three food banks in South Carolina to manage and distribute public food commodities. The South Carolina State Association of Food Banks, of which the Lowcountry Food Bank is a lead member, had advocated thi
