COVID-19 Resources
FOR THE FOOD SYSTEM
Volunteers Needed
The Greater Chicago Food Depository has an immediate need for volunteers to help pack boxes of shelf-stable food to make sure their network of food pantries and distribution sites has enough food to meet the increased need in Cook County.
Call to Action
“When the pandemic first hit, we saw food waste increase dramatically as business closures blocked normal distribution channels. Not only was this a tragic waste of food at a time when so many people were facing economic hardship, it’s also a significant
environmental concern, because food loss and waste are huge drivers of climate change and resource depletion. When food is wasted, so too is the land, water, labor, energy, and other inputs that are used to produce it. Tackling food loss and waste might seem like a gargantuan task, but it’s one that is eminently doable – and it’s absolutely necessary to conserve the planet and resources for future generations.”
Dr. Liz Goodwin Obe
World Resources Institute, Senior Fellow and Director, Food Loss and Waste
ReFED Advisory Council Member
Got a Resource?
Need a Resource?
Add to COVID-19 & Chicago’s Food System: Resource Webpage
In order to provide support for Chicago’s food system during the COVID-19 outbreak, the Chicago Food Policy Action Council has conveened partners and is collecting and cataloging food related responses, resources, actions, and discussions. This webpage has an open forum allowing for anyone to add relevant information or ask pressing questions.
Resources
Connect to those in Illinois working in the food system to address COVID-19 related challenges.
In Chicago, the Chicago Office of Emergency Management is coordinating donations and volunteers here: https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/sites/covid-19/home/resources.html?#donation-information
FOOD ACCESS
FEEDING ILLINOIS FOOD BANKS
Regional food banks are the distribution hub for many local pantries and community-non-profits, all of whom deliver nutritious food to those in need. They need financial donations to help restock their shelves, particularly with pre-packaged items that can be easily distributed to those in need.
NEEDS LIST shared by Feeding Illinois:
- Food – to supplant declining donations from usual sources and channels.
- Funds – to purchase additional foods and support expanded services.
- Volunteers – to help sort, pack, and distribute food at both food banks and agencies.
- Boxes, Bags & To-Go Containers – to pre-pack food for alternative (i.e., social-distancing) distributions.
For more information and to donate, visit the website of your local food bank.
COLLABORATION AND NETWORKING
CHICAGO COVID-19 FOOD FORUM (ESPAÑOL ABAJO)
In order to provide support for Chicago’s food system during the COVID-19 outbreak, this forum is for collecting and cataloging food related responses, resources, actions, and discussions.
Foro de COVID-19 Respuesta Rápida para el Sistema Alimentario en Chicago
En apoyo al sistema alimentario de Chicago durante el COVID-19, desarrollamos este foro para recopilar y catalogar respuestas, recursos, acciones y información relacionados con el sistema alimentario.
https://covid.chicagofoodpolicy.com/
Chicago Food Policy Action Council – https://www.chicagofoodpolicy.com/covid19
MATCHMAKING
STATEWIDE
Illinois COVID-19 Matchmaking: Institutional food, resources, labor, technical assistance is a tool to be used to match up needs and surplus in the Illinois institutional food system. We welcome anyone to add, view or contact others on the list directly. Examples of listings include:
- Those with a surplus of meat or vegetables that need a home
- Those looking for local food to serve to displaced constituents
- Those with a need for extra hands at their facilities (milkers, kitchen staff, drivers)
- Those looking for job opportunities after their institution has closed or reduced labor
- Those with additional storage space for food that needs to be preserved
View the spreadsheet below (use the tabs at the bottom to click through each category).
To add a need or a resource to Illinois COVID-19 Matchmaking: Institutional food, resources, labor, technical assistance, please use the link below to fill out the form.