In addition to food and grocery products, the Montana Food Bank Network provides an orientation, Food Safety 101 Certification Course, educational outreach, grant opportunities, public policy, SNAP outreach trainings, monthly newsletter and monthly conference calls, an annual Montana Hunger Relief Forum for all Partner Agencies, and a comprehensive Partner Agency website.

 

For some of our products, Partner Agencies pay a handling fee, called shared maintenance, of no more than 18 cents per pound for non-perishable food. All perishable foods, like fresh produce, bread and dairy are always offered without a shared maintenance fee. Shared maintenance covers a percentage of the Montana Food Bank Network’s operational costs and helps to defray the costs of transporting food and running freezers and coolers. All other services (partnership, training, meetings, outreach, etc.) are offered at no cost to Partner Agencies. The Montana Food Bank Network also offers travel scholarships to all regional and annual conference events.

 

Through partnership with the Montana Food Bank Network, organizations can reduce the cost of purchased foods and use money saved to shelter, treat, train, counsel, intervene, protect, educate, rehabilitate, house and comfort more individuals and families in need than they would have if they were forced to use their limited resources to buy food. The Montana Food Bank Network operates as a supplemental food resource for its partners and encourages the development of long term charitable giving and solutions to hunger in Montana.