Ten mobile pantry trucks are being delivered to service food banks across the country. They will supply nutritious food to people at risk of hunger who live in communities where fresh food is limited, providing access to nutritious food in both urban and rural "food deserts." These trucks are expected to distribute more than 8 million pounds of food annually.

"We are thrilled to have this fleet up and running, thanks to funding support from Idol Gives Back," said Vicki Escarra, president and CEO of Feeding America. "Their $5 million donation is helping us to provide much-needed food to the 37 million people served annually by our network of food banks.”

The mobile pantries will impact food banks located in areas of significant need, including Los Angeles and San Fransicso, Albuquerque, Oak Park, Mich., Abilene, Tex., and Gainesville, Fla.

The Idol Gives Back Foundation also provided funding to 10 food banks to hire new staff members dedicated to local food sourcing efforts. These individuals will be charged with identifying new sources of donated food and increasing donations from local and regional food manufacturers.

From the November 18, Prepared Foods’ Daily News