Market Basket's Loss is NH Food Bank's Gain

If there was any upside to the Market Basket standoff, this might be it.

The New Hampshire Food Bank has been bustling lately as the economy continues to attempt to creep out of the Great Recession and more and more people in the state continue to still need help putting food on the table.

This past June, according to officials at the food bank, the organization distributed more than one million lbs. of food to agencies around the state, the highest monthly distribution since last November. Last year, the food bank distributed more than 8.5 million lbs. of food. This year, it’s on track to exceed 10 million lbs. of food.

“Although our distribution in June was something to celebrate, we continue to be challenged with limited donations coming in,” said Mel Gosselin, the executive director of the New Hampshire Food Bank. “In June, we were still experiencing a roughly 30 percent loss of protein resources.”

Gosselin said it was mostly due to the loss of major grocery partners in the area, like Stop & Shop, which recently closed a number of stores in the state.

However, the recent events at the Market Basket chain have benefited the food bank, according to officials, who stated that the standoff enabled the food bank to provide high quality food to its agency partners around the state, including more than 100,000 lbs. of meat that would have otherwise spoiled, during the last two weeks. The food bank also was able to gain access to produce and dairy products that it typically never gets.

“Staff has been working tirelessly to ensure that as much food as possible is recovered,” Gosselin said in a press statement. “They have been working through the weekends and have offered extended hours for distribution, a true testament to their dedication to those in need in NH.”

Gosselin added, “While we are as concerned as everyone about the Market Basket situation, particularly around the welfare of their associates, we are grateful there was consideration given to making sure this nutritious food went to those in need. We do hope resolution is soon to follow as we are concerned for Market Basket associates and the potential that they will need to access food pantries across the state.”

Earlier this week, the food bank held a number of special distributions for programs and individuals to gain access to this extraordinary opportunity. A mobile food pantry in partnership with the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Concord delivered 15,000 lbs. of produce, breads, and canned goods to families in need, according to officials.

Combined with extended hours, it distributed more than 60,000 lbs. of food in a single day; the current average daily distribution has been 30,000 to 35,000.

“It’s not every day we are able to do this, it’s all about access,” Gosselin said. “If we have food or resources, we will get it to those in need. Access means resources. Every dollar means two meals.”

For more information about the New Hampshire Food Bank, visit nhfoodbank.org, facebook.com/nhfoodbank or twitter.com/nhfb.