Strategic Plan

In 2010, the Greater Chicago Food Depository debuted its five-year strategic plan, Growing the Field. The plan consisted of five goals that shaped the organization’s response to hunger in our community. Guided by this plan, the Food Depository achieved a number of milestones, including growing fresh produce distribution from 23 percent to 35 percent of all food, increasing the Food Rescue program from 6.5 million pounds to 11.7 million pounds of food, surpassing 100,000 total yearly supporters and more.

In July, the Food Depository launched a new strategic plan which will build on the past plan’s successes. The new plan is the culmination of months of work and input from staff, member agencies, community partners, supporters and stakeholders. The new plan identifies three core strategies for the Food Depository to focus on in the coming years.

FOOD

This strategy will guide the Food Depository as it increases the supply of quality, nutritious food for hungry men, women and children in our community. Additionally, the Food Depository will implement an “all delivery” model of distribution, which will increase food safety and decrease costs for agencies. Similarly, the Food Depository will work to educate and instill a culture of food safety within the network.

COMMUNITY

The Food Depository’s network of pantries, soup kitchens and shelters is a vital component of the response to hunger. The second strategy, Community, is geared towards strengthening this network. Other Community goals include encouraging healthy options for clients accessing the network and leveraging the network to support the economic stability of clients.

VOICE

The Food Depository cannot fight hunger alone. Voice is meant to expand awareness of hunger and encourage support for the cause. Voice also encompasses the Food Depository’s advocacy agenda, which will focus on a strong nutrition safety net. In addition, this strategy will lead the Food Depository as it works to build the nation’s premier volunteer engagement program.