Corby Kummer on the Future of Food Banks

Boston Public Radio Podcast

Food writer Corby Kummer talked with Boston Public Radio on Monday about the future of food banks, following the release of a survey from Duke World Food Policy Center that looks at long-term shifts among hunger relief organizations.

“One of the ideas is to allow people to shop for what they want. Don't just give them what you're able to get,” he said. “Find out from them what they want, what they need, [and] make it easy and dignified for them to be able to get there.”

Food banks should also implement hours accessible to food pantry guests, and have pantry staff educated on the needs of their communities, Kummer added.

“The wave of the future is, go to the community first and figure out what they need,” he said. “Don’t design something you think will be good for them.”

Kummer is a senior editor at The Atlantic, an award-winning food writer, and a senior lecturer at the Tufts Friedman School of Nutrition and Policy.