At Bedford Food Bank, the staff focuses on assisting two types of insecurity when a person needs assistance affording food: food security and nutrition security.

“Somebody might be able to go to the store and get Ramen, bread and mac ‘n cheese,” says Carla Olson, the Healthy Communities coordinator for Bedford Food Bank. “I’m not saying there’s not a place for those things, but that’s not what is going to keep us healthy.”

While Bedford Food Bank isn’t able to allow those who need help to request or select specific food, they can help meet a critical general request.

“We do surveys every year, and produce and protein is what’s most appreciated and what most people identify as the highest need,” Carla says. “It’s very expensive. Even people who aren’t living paycheck to paycheck find it challenging — $7.99 for a bag of apples feels like a big part of your food budget. If you’re living paycheck to paycheck, that’s not a choice you’ll make. We’re trying to give people fresh options.”

And they can — because of Gaining Ground. Carla calls Gaining Ground one of Bedford Food Bank’s most “prominent and vigorous relationships.” 

Carla has long been a part of the Bedford Food Bank. She started as a volunteer at the organization, which was initially founded by the Grey Family in 1991 as the Bedford Community Table/Pantry. Then, the pantry served around 28 to 32 people. The pantry used donations to purchase food, and Gaining Ground began supplying fresh produce. Then, the COVID-19 pandemic happened, and a ripple effect created financial, food, and nutrition insecurity. The pantry had trouble keeping up with the surging need.

The Town of Bedford stepped in, and Gaining Ground stayed on board.

“Gaining Ground has been incredibly responsive to helping us meet the needs, giving us more and more volume over time,” Carla says.  

During the height of the pandemic, health and human services began packing bags, and the fire department and some local school staff members managed a drive-through so people could pick up food. They thought the pantry would return to regular operations, but the need has remained high.

“The numbers are not going down,” Carla says. “We’re getting new people.”

The Town of Bedford continues to run the food bank, which is now located in the town center and serves between 170 and 180 households per week.

Each week, each household receives a produce bag, a protein bag, a dairy bag and a dry bag, always a minimum of 4 bags. The produce bag is packed with items that primarily come from Gaining Ground. 

“Distributions are about 35-40 pounds of food supplies per week per household,” Carla says. “If a household has more than five people we usually provide two distributions equaling eight bags. We also have items like pet care, menstrual care, diapers, wipes, coats, hats and personal items.”  

While the Bedford Food Bank needs every donation it gets, if for some reason there are any leftovers, it shares leftover food with local group homes that offer cooking classes. There’s little food waste, and Bedford Food Bank rarely turns away items. Carla hopes they receive more donations in 2025. Actually, she’d like to go out of business in 2025.

“But I don’t think that’s realistic,” she says.

Instead, Bedford Food Bank is looking to make it easier for people to pick up their groceries. They’re hoping to install lockers in places like Whole Foods so people are better able to get their items on their schedule. It also provides an option some find more dignified.

“They don’t want to be seen coming here, and we’re working hard to reduce the stigma, but a lot of people are still very private and want more discretion,” Carla says. 

Beyond food and monetary donations, Carla says Bedford Food Bank has other needs.

“We also need helpers to deliver and to drive,” Carla says. “We have a robust home delivery program for people who are homebound or lack transportation, so we’re always looking for that.”

And should someone join the team, they’ll become a part of a group that gives Carla hope even during days that feel bleak.

“Sometimes, the news is difficult, and watching the numbers of people who are struggling is hard, but the volunteers lift my spirit every day,” Carla says. “They have boundless energy and are committed — so are our partners. Everyone is astonishingly generous.”