Indy Food Drop.org Launch

 PRESS RELEASE: IndyFoodDrop.org launches with help from four of the city's largest food hunger-relief agencies in an effort to save food and help feed hungry Hoosiers

Indianapolis – Four of Indianapolis' largest food hunger-relief agencies collaborated on the launch of a new website, IndyFoodDrop.org, designed to help the trucking industry redirect any unclaimed food by local grocers and distributors from going into dumpsters and landfills, into the hands of people in need. By harnessing the power, people and resources of Gleaners Food Bank, Midwest Food Bank, Second Helpings and St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry, truck drivers and brokers now have an easy way to get any rejected food items unloaded so they can get their trucks back on the road quickly – all while helping hundreds of families in need. The agencies partnered with the Indiana Motor Truck Association on this new initiative.

John Whitaker, executive director of Midwest Food Bank in Indianapolis, acknowledged the food is still fit for human consumption, just not for sale.

"We know there are times with food may become available to us through the supply chain for any number of reasons. The goal of IndyFoodDrop is to work specifically with the transportation side of the supply chain to take food that might otherwise go to waste and get it out to hungry Hoosiers in need," said Whitaker. "The drivers have a need to quickly get back on the road, but if we can make it just as easy for them to take their food directly to our organizations, it is a win-win for everyone."

IndyFoodDrop.org clearly and succinctly provides drivers with access and information to change their food disposal process. Rather than dumping unused or unclaimed food, drivers can now head to one of the four food hunger-relief agencies where they will receive help unloading their truck, a tax-deductible receipt and the benefit of knowing they are helping the hungry through a coordinated food recovery effort.

"This is a natural partnership for us to help get the word out about this website to our industry, and a great opportunity for the Indiana Motor Truck Association (IMTA) to make a difference in the fight against hunger," said Barb Hunt, vice president, IMTA. "To know nutritious food that might otherwise get thrown away is in turn helping feed the hungry is truly rewarding."