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COLUMBIA, Feb. 3, 2017 – The Food Bank for Central & Northeast Missouri has announced the award of a new grant from the Morgan Stanley Foundation to support the food bank’s fresh produce program. The funds will be used to increase the availability of fruits and vegetables for children through a new initiative that will increase the food bank’s ability to access, transport and store fresh produce.

“We are proud to continue our commitment of providing fresh produce to kids and families and to ensure that they get the essentials for a healthier life,” said Joan Steinberg, Global Head of Philanthropy at Morgan Stanley and President of the Morgan Stanley Foundation. 

The funding will allow The Food Bank to more than double its capacity for fresh fruits and vegetables by installing a new racking system within the warehouse cooler. These racks will allow produce pallets to be stacked, making better use of vertical storage space. The racking will be built at an angle, allowing pallets to slide as they are added or removed; eliminating the need for forklifts or other equipment and increasing efficiency.

The system will provide storage for 112 produce pallets, or approximately 112,000 pounds of produce at a time. That is an increase of the current storage capacity of 56 pallets, or 56,000 pounds

“By increasing access to fresh fruits and vegetables, we are able to provide the people we serve with the building blocks for a healthy life,” said Daryle Bascom, director of operations. “We are excited to work with Morgan Stanley to help improve the health of the 104,000 people we serve monthly.”

These awards build on the Morgan Stanley Foundation’s longstanding commitment to children’s health.  Feeding America also serves as a lead national partner in the United States for Morgan Stanley Healthy Cities, an initiative that brings together national and local nonprofits to create a linked network of nutritious food, safe play spaces, and wellness education and health screening for children and families of communities in need. 

About The Food Bank
Through empowerment, education and partnerships, The Food Bank for Central & Northeast Missouri brings together community resources to feed people in need in a 32-county service area.

About Feeding America
Feeding America is the nationwide network of 200 food banks that leads the fight against hunger in the United States.  Together, we provide food to more than 46 million people through 60,000 food pantries and meal programs in communities across America.  Feeding America also supports programs that improve food security among the people we serve; educates the public about the problem of hunger; and advocates for legislation that protects people from going hungry. Individuals, charities, businesses and government all have a role in ending hunger.  Donate.   Volunteer. Advocate.  Educate.  Together we can solve hunger. Visit www.feedingamerica.org, find us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.