NEWS

September is Hunger Action Month, a time to recognize that hunger is not an individual problem—it is a community issue, and one that we all have a role in addressing.

At Foodworks, we see every day how reliable access to food can create stability in someone’s life. Last year, Foodworks served thousands of individuals and families through a free-choice grocery model that is designed around dignity, flexibility, and real-life needs.

That element of choice matters. Not everyone who experiences food insecurity has the same kitchen, the same equipment, the same storage, or even the same ability to prepare a meal. Some people may be cooking in a full kitchen, while others may have access to only a microwave, hot plate, or shared space. Families also bring different cultural traditions, dietary needs, and preferences to the food they choose. A free-choice model allows people to select what will actually work for them, rather than simply receiving a standard box of food.

That grocery-style experience has also created something more: conversation and connection. We have seen shoppers share recipes for fresh produce, exchange ideas about how certain foods are prepared, and introduce one another to cultural traditions and recipes. Access to food does more than satisfy hunger—it creates opportunities for people to connect, share knowledge, and build community with one another.

For people who are unable to come to Foodworks, delivery also helps ensure that mobility, transportation, health, or other barriers do not prevent someone from accessing groceries.

As the Foodworks Coordinator, I have the privilege of seeing the many hands that make this possible. Foodworks is part of a much larger network of farmers, food producers, donors, volunteers, community organizations, and local partners all contributing to a stronger food system.

Food reaches our shelves in many ways: through purchases, community donations, food rescue, and partnerships with local farms, grocers, and food organizations. Each source plays a different role. Food rescue helps us redirect good food that might otherwise go unused. Seasonal farm donations bring fresh local produce into the store. Community food drives help restock high-need items. And financial contributions give us the flexibility to purchase what is missing.

That flexibility is especially important because needs change constantly. A shelf may be full one week and nearly empty the next. Demand can increase unexpectedly. Certain staples may not come through donation channels at all. Financial support allows us to respond intentionally—purchasing the foods people need, filling gaps, and making sure our shelves reflect the realities of the households we serve.

The impact extends beyond the food itself. Foodworks creates a place where people can shop with choice, where volunteers and community members can contribute in meaningful ways, and where partnerships across Brattleboro help ensure that people are connected to more than one source of support.

That is part of what a thriving community looks like: neighbors, organizations, farms, businesses, volunteers, and donors each contributing what they can to make sure people have access to a basic need.

Hunger Action Month is an invitation to be part of that effort. That might mean making a financial contribution, volunteering, organizing a food drive, sharing information about Foodworks, donating fresh produce, or simply learning more about hunger in our community.

Every action strengthens the network.

Thank you for helping Foodworks nourish not only individuals and families, but a healthier and more connected Brattleboro.