Friday, February 7, 2025
Photo Credits: Lauren Van Hassel
FARSB food bank has big news for the IE community: The Fresh Start Pantry by Goodman is officially open at our Hunger Resource Center!
This marks a new milestone for our food bank as this is the first on-site FARSB food choice pantry. From early construction to refrigeration acquisition, our donors and supporters have invested in their community to ensure the most vulnerable, food-insecure individuals have somewhere to get fresh food.
Fresh Start Pantry by Goodman
The Fresh Start Pantry is more than just a pantry—it’s a cornerstone of hope for our community. It strengthens our Food as Medicine initiatives in collaboration with healthcare partners and empowers neighbors to access nutritious food with dignity and choice.
It is the first of its kind at our food bank. We've set up the pantry with a client-choice model in mind to ensure that those shopping get to choose the items they need for themselves.
A major step forward for client autonomy, this helps address major issues associated with a traditional pantry set-up. Client-choice pantries allow the individual to be active in the food choices for their household because they know exactly what their family needs to create full meals.
Another draw of the space is how client choice addresses cultural preferences, dietary restrictions, and more, within each household. Whether it is a senior who has dietary restrictions, a parent whose child is lactose-intolerant, or a family whose religious beliefs prohibit beef or pork in their diet, each client ensures the items they receive will be used in their household. This also results in less food waste overall.
How the Pantry Works
The pantry product comes to our food bank from a variety of places, including retail locations, locally gleaned produce, and purchased items from grant funding and private donations. These donated items make up the produce, frozen and fresh items in the refrigerators and freezers, and shelf-stable items.
Clients utilize a point system to choose items that they need for their families. Each point will be for either a single item or for smaller items they will be able to get up to four for a single point. This allows the individual to choose food according to their household's needs and ensure that what they get will last.
Clients are referred to the pantry through select healthcare partners who screen them for food insecurity.
How To Get Involved
As we prepare to begin referrals and provide direct support later this month, we’re reaching out to you. Here’s how you can help:
Host a Resource Table – Join us during pantry hours to share information about your organization’s services with our neighbors. Connect with Jessica Valentine at jvalentine@feedingamericaie.org.
Join Our Resource List – Let us refer neighbors in need of support beyond food to your organization. Connect with Jessica Valentine at jvalentine@feedingamericaie.org.
Become a Referral Site - If you work in a healthcare setting or know someone who does, we’d love to collaborate on establishing additional referral sites. This partnership would help screen families for food insecurity and connect them to our Fresh Start Pantry. For more information, please reach out to Paulina Soria at psoria@feedingamericaie.org.
Donate Food - Help us stock our pantry with healthy, nutritious options! Partner with us to provide ongoing food donations to support our mission. Contact Jose Ruiz at jruiz@feedingamericaie.org.
Donate Funds - Help us stock our pantry and fill the gaps where the food isn't donated. Consider becoming a monthly donor. Contact Willow Smith at wsmith@feedingamericaie.org.
Volunteer - Help us serve our community while the pantry is open and re-stock products. Contact Luis Molina at lmolina@feedingamericaie.org.
Media - If you are a media partner looking to see the space. Contact Rachel Bonilla at rbonilla@feedingamericaie.org.
Wrap-Up
With the addition of the Fresh Start Pantry by Goodman, the immediate need for neighbors is being met on a whole new level. As we grow to meet the rising need in Riverside and San Bernardino, FARSB aims to continue its mission to alleviate hunger in any way possible.
We'd like to thank our wonderful partners and donors who made this possible, we wouldn't have been able to do it without them!
Together, we can build a stronger safety net for those in need. Thank you for your continued partnership and commitment to making a difference. We’re excited to see what we can accomplish together!
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