Manna Food Center
About the Project
I visited Manna Food Center, a food distribution, education, and advocacy center in Maryland to interview two of its (former) staff members for my podcast Put a Fork In It. While there, I also documented the work they do there in photos. Here you’ll find the essence of the organization, which strives to eliminate hunger in Montgomery County, Maryland by sharing fresh produce and shelf stable food with around 33,000 locals each year. They have a focus on providing nutritious and fresh foods and partner with grocery stores and farms to recover foods that would otherwise go to waste.
The Manna warehouse.
Turkeys!
Staff and volunteers sort produce and other products into boxes, in preparation for the day’s pickup and deliveries.
Staff and volunteers sort produce and other products into boxes, in preparation for the day’s pickup and deliveries.
Staff and volunteers sort produce and other products into boxes, in preparation for the day’s pickup and deliveries.
Staff and volunteers sort produce and other products into boxes, in preparation for the day’s pickup and deliveries.
A frozen pizza was “rescued” from a grocery store – probably because it was nearing its sell by date.
Staff and volunteers sort produce and other products into boxes, in preparation for the day’s pickup and deliveries.
Staff and volunteers sort produce and other products into boxes, in preparation for the day’s pickup and deliveries.
Signs provide guidelines on freshness of produce and when it should be discarded.
Staff and volunteers sort produce and other products into boxes, in preparation for the day’s pickup and deliveries.
Staff and volunteers sort produce and other products into boxes, in preparation for the day’s pickup and deliveries.
Volunteers and staff sort food – here they sort meet products from the grocery store rescue program.
This bin of meats was full when I first walked by – before I had my camera out.
Manna receives a lot of bread and bakery items from donations and grocery store rescue programs. Bakery items are in overabundance because grocery stores routinely over-bake to maintain supplies for their customers. Then, when products are not sold, they are “rescued” by Manna, who gives them out sparingly, as these items don’t meet nutrition guidelines in the quantities they are received.
Manna receives a lot of bread and bakery items from donations and grocery store rescue programs. Bakery items are in overabundance because grocery stores routinely over-bake to maintain supplies for their customers. Then, when products are not sold, they are “rescued” by Manna, who gives them out sparingly, as these items don’t meet nutrition guidelines in the quantities they are received.
Manna receives a lot of bread and bakery items from donations and grocery store rescue programs. Bakery items are in overabundance because grocery stores routinely over-bake to maintain supplies for their customers. Then, when products are not sold, they are “rescued” by Manna, who gives them out sparingly, as these items don’t meet nutrition guidelines in the quantities they are received.
Manna receives a lot of bread and bakery items from donations and grocery store rescue programs. Bakery items are in overabundance because grocery stores routinely over-bake to maintain supplies for their customers. Then, when products are not sold, they are “rescued” by Manna, who gives them out sparingly, as these items don’t meet nutrition guidelines in the quantities they are received.
Manna sees an abundance of packaged/processed foods.
Food boxes are packaged to go to an off-site pickup location.
Food boxes are packaged to go to an off-site pickup location.
A staff person opens the loading dock.
Food boxes are packaged to go to an off-site pickup location.
Manna receives a lot of bread and bakery items from donations and grocery store rescue programs.
Manna places an emphasis on fresh, nutritional foods.
Manna places an emphasis on fresh, nutritional foods.
To the left: waste to be sent away for pig feed. To the right: onions and other cold items inside the large walk-in fridge.
Manna sends appropriate waste to a local farm for pig feed.
Manna places an emphasis on fresh, nutritional foods.
Boxes and bags of food are packed for Mannas program that provides weekend foods for school-children whose families may not be able to provide food when the kids are not at school.
The production list that guides packers to know how many boxes to prepare for the day’s pick up / how many families will be served.
Volunteers and staff prepare for the pick up.
Volunteers and staff prepare for the pick up.
Volunteers and staff prepare for the pick up.
Manna currently offers on-site pick up. A recipient selects her items for pick up.
A volunteer/staff person assists in bringing food to the recipients vehicle.
A couple who received their food.
Manna currently offers on-site pick up.
Manna currently offers on-site pick up.
Manna currently offers on-site pick up.
Manna recently converted a retired school bus into Manny the mobile kitchen and pantry, in order to provide on-site cooking and nutrition classes, as well as a portable food delivery system.
Manny the mobile kitchen and pantry.
Manny the mobile kitchen and pantry.
Inside Manny the mobile kitchen and pantry.
A fully functioning mini oven.
Inside Manny the mobile kitchen and pantry, a fully functioning stove and mini oven.
Running water in Manny the mobile kitchen.
Lindsey cuts a pomegranate.
