The Grocery Alliance Program (GAP) with The Idaho Foodbank is a partnership with generous grocers throughout Idaho.  The grocers donate food that does not meet the stores’ standards to sell to customers, but is still perfectly good food for human consumption.  This may include product with imperfect, but food-safe packaging, product that has reached, but not exceeded its sell-by date, or other product that a store wishes to rotate off of its shelves.  

The types of product commonly acquired through GAP donation are produce, dairy, meat, and canned/dry goods. The product is picked up by either The Idaho Foodbank or a member agency.  The donation weight by product category is recorded and a receipt is provided to the donor. The food is then either delivered directly to a member agency, or taken to The Idaho Foodbank warehouse where it is sorted by date and food category.  Warehoused product is entered into our inventory database and made available to our member agencies. 

Our distribution department maintains a schedule for our member agencies to pick up food from our warehouse.  The food is then taken to their locations for distribution to individuals and families in need. The food is closely tracked by our inventory system, and is usually distributed within 48 hours.

The GAP program provided over 3,250,000 lbs. of food to hungry Idaho families in 2011.  This is food that would otherwise have been thrown away!  This program greatly reduces senseless waste in our landfills.  Donations decrease stores’ shrink totals and reduce sanitation fees.  Donations may, to some extent, be tax deductible. 

IFB appreciates strong support from Albertsons, Wal-Mart and Fred Meyer stores, whose dedicated teams have made this program a success! Their donations help feed hungry Idahoans and save food from being wasted.