The Food Bank of Northwest Indiana is the only food bank serving Lake and Porter counties, and it is responsible for supplying food to more than 120 pantries, soup kitchens, and other partner agencies across the Region. With more than 100,000 people in Lake and Porter counties considered food insecure, the Food Bank’s mission of alleviating hunger by acquiring and distributing food to people in need is a critical one.
USDA defines food insecure people as those who have limited or uncertain access to nutritionally adequate food at some point during the year. In other words, these individuals and families often don’t know when or where their next meal will be. The Food Bank distributes more than 4.3 million meals every year to these folks struggling with hunger, serving 15,000 people each month through its partner agencies and programs.
It’s thanks to generous community partners, like Dutch Farms, Inc., that the Food Bank is able to continue working to meet the need in our community. Dutch Farms is a committed partner to the Food Bank’s mission by donating good quality and nutritious food to the surrounding community. The protein-packed dairy products they provide to the Food Bank every year makes a huge difference in the fight against hunger in Northwest Indiana. Since the start of their partnership, Dutch Farms has donated 70,500 meals to fight food insecurity for Lake and Porter county residents.
“Dutch Farms is a wonderful partner of the Food Bank. They consistently step up to support our programs and services and help ensure that all of the hungry kids, adults, and seniors in our community have access to the good, protein-filled food they need,” said Peterson.
This year alone, the company has supplied 5,083 meals through the Food Bank, not counting today’s donation of 10,800 dozen eggs, or 13,500 additional meals to feed hungry people across the Region.
“Fighting hunger is a big job,” said Arleen Peterson, Executive Director of the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana. “And it’s one that requires the full support and partnership of the community.” Indeed, Dutch Farms has given it their all to help the Food Bank feed the community.
“To solve a problem, you have to go to the source,” said Kevin DeVries, Vice President of Dutch Farms, Inc. and member of the Board of Directors at the Food Bank. “Supplying protein-filled, healthy food is the first step. Dutch Farms is thankful to be a part of such a life-changing organization taking place right in our backyard.”
Peterson also believes that the relationship between Dutch Farms and the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana is a powerful one that makes a huge impact in the lives of others.
“We are so grateful for this partnership with Dutch Farms. They consistently step up and help fight hunger in the Region by donating healthy, nutritious foods throughout the year.” said Peterson.