Effective Food Partnerships Guide

Created by NC State University’s Institute for Emerging Issues and Thriving Rural Communities

Whether you have an established and cherished food ministry or are looking to address hunger in your community here are some considerations from leading hunger advocates across the United States.

Work Backwards

Food ministries address hunger… but what causes hunger? Brainstorm with your group about why people are hungry. Addressing hunger often means looking at job insecurity, lack of transportation, systematic injustice and more factors. It’s tempting to start with the idea of a specific food partnership but consider starting with how to fight hunger and see the intersection of your congregation’s abilities and need.

Do Your Homework

Food ministries are one of the most popular service opportunities for faith opportunities. They meet great need but can also overlap each other. Research your local area or county to see what partnerships (of all kinds) already exist. Ask them about challenges and where there are opportunities for partnership. Ask them about the best lessons they’ve learned, whether from successes or failures.

Form Relationships

Seriously addressing food insecurity, health issues, and hunger requires more than a transactional service. Consider ways your ministry can seek to form relationships with those needing assistance. Prioritize getting to know people rather than fixing problems. Ask at every turn if each step of receiving assistance protects dignity.

Make Health a Priority

Resist the common thought that “anything is better than nothing”. Poor quality food and a lack of nutrition education often subvert the effectiveness of the most well-intentioned food ministries. Learn about how volunteers and those needing assistance view food and nutrition.

Evaluate Often

Food partnerships have a two-fold purpose: address urgent need and eradicate systemic hunger. Striking a balance between the two is time-consuming, confusing, and resource-intensive. Doing frequent evaluations with everyone involved in the food ministry will help.