DALLAS (October 26, 2023) – In a significant move to bolster community support and tackle food insecurity, Whole Foods Market has amplified its commitment to the Dallas area by donating a brand-new refrigerated van to Minnie’s Food Pantry, a prominent local nonprofit. This generous donation is set to dramatically enhance Minnie’s Food Pantry’s capacity to rescue and distribute fresh, healthy food to individuals and families in need across North Dallas.
A celebratory event marked the handover at the Whole Foods Market Cityline store, where staff from both Whole Foods Market and Minnie’s Food Pantry joined forces to load the new van with a substantial donation of groceries. These essential items are destined for community members grappling with food insecurity, ensuring they have access to nutritious meals.
Lauren Talley, Sr. Specialist for Community Giving & Engagement at Whole Foods Market, emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating, “Expanding our partnership with Minnie’s Food Pantry is a source of immense pride for Whole Foods Market. This donation directly supports their crucial food rescue operations within the North Dallas community. The refrigerated van is more than just a vehicle; it’s a tool that will significantly increase the volume of rescued food, reduce food waste, and contribute to a lasting positive impact by nourishing our neighbors.”
Cheryl Jackson, the Founder of Minnie’s Food Pantry, reflected on the decade-long partnership with Whole Foods Market, “Our journey with Whole Foods Market began with an in-store fundraiser ten years ago and has flourished into a robust collaboration, including weekly food pickups from three Whole Foods locations. The donation of this refrigerated van, through the Whole Foods Market Nourishing Our Neighborhoods program, is truly transformative. It empowers Minnie’s Food Pantry to enhance our mission, ensuring we can provide a greater quantity of healthy, perishable foods – like fresh produce, dairy products, and meats – to the tens of thousands of families we serve annually.”
The Nourishing Our Neighborhoods program, launched by Whole Foods Market in September 2020, underscores the company’s dedication to fighting hunger on a broader scale. To date, the program has contributed 37 refrigerated vans to food rescue organizations throughout the United States and Canada. These partnerships are integral to Whole Foods Market’s Grocery Rescue Program, where stores regularly donate surplus food, ensuring that high-quality, fresh products are swiftly redistributed to those in need.
Minnie’s Food Pantry, a leading 501c3 nonprofit based in Plano, Texas, has been a beacon of hope in the fight against hunger since its inception on April 1, 2008. With a mission to provide not only healthy meals but also vital educational resources and basic necessities, Minnie’s Food Pantry has distributed over 25 million meals, offering both perishable and non-perishable food items to individuals and families across various zip codes.
To delve deeper into Whole Foods Market’s Nourishing Our Neighborhoods program, visit HERE. Learn more about how Minnie’s Food Pantry is making a difference in the Dallas community HERE.
About Whole Foods Market
For over 40 years, Whole Foods Market has stood at the forefront of natural and organic food retail. As the first national certified organic grocer, Whole Foods Market operates over 500 stores across the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. For additional information about Whole Foods Market, please visit https://media.wholefoodsmarket.com/.
