Fremont's Tri-City Volunteers
Tri-City Volunteers Food Bank is revolutionizing the food pantry model to better serve its diverse communities with dignity. Critical to this revolution are team members like Marly Beck (pictured above right), who sat down with us to talk about how her passion for food systems led her to become part of Tri-City’s food revolution.
Where Passion and Purpose Meet
Marly Beck has a deep-rooted passion for the food system and making it more equitable for the communities she serves and beyond. Her passion for improving these systems first began in college, and having served with food banks in the past, her transition to Tri-City Volunteers Food Bank (TCV) was a natural one. “I have a background in small farms and food systems, so it kind of combines my favorite thing,” shares Marly, who currently coordinates TCV’s mobile pantry system. About what drew her specifically to TCV, she says, “I was really impressed by TCV’s commitment to an experience for clients that was very dignified.”
TCV’s 23 mobile pantry vans distribute food directly to communities impacted by lack of access fresh produce. Food is distributed in a farmer’s market style, allowing community members more choice in their selection of foods. “It’s kind of a rare program to find as of now in the food banking world,” explains Marly.
Diverse Foods Program
Marly is also heavily involved with the TCV’s Diverse Foods Program. The program launched with a survey to better understand the types of foods community members were looking for. “It was a good opportunity to ask clients, some new and some returnees, how their tastes have changed,” Marly shares. Survey results indicated community members were interested in certain specific foods like bok choy, red cabbage, and eggs. “The Diverse Foods Program is intentionally trying to adhere to the tastes of the folks that we serve,” says Marly, sharing as an example that many of TCV’s clients are Asian-American, and the goal is to provide food options which reflect their unique cultural and dietary needs.
Marly and her team found the Diverse Foods Program to be incredibly popular at many of their sites and at their main location on Joseph Street in Freemont, CA. “People were really excited about it,” says Marly. “People could try out new things and explore something they hadn’t yet, and now they have a taste for it.”
To help community members enjoy these new food options, TCV began to provide recipe ideas and instructions along with the different items on the menu. This helps to not only reduce waste by providing easy solutions for using the different foods, but it also empowers clients to have more confidence in the kitchen.
Meaningful Meals
To further this confidence in cooking, TCV has graduated from recipe cards to full meal kits. “Meal kits are intended to fill a few needs we were seeing,” Marly says. The kits simplify the meal preparation process by including all ingredients and instructions for a healthy meal, making the process more enjoyable for the recipients.
Marly compared TCV’s meal kits to HelloFresh and Blue Apron, noting how meal kits are having a cultural moment. “I do think that everyone deserves an opportunity to try something out that’s really popular right now,” says Marly, going on to say that the current meal kit options in the market are cost-prohibitive to many consumers. Her goal is to make the experience more equitable, and allow the community members they serve to have this same experience.
A Show of Support
We asked Marly what the community and beyond can do to help TCV with their new meal kit program. “The best two ways are volunteering if you’re local to the Fremont, Union City [or] Newark area”, she says, also sharing that, “If people want to make donations or share posts about donations, that’s really helpful for us.”
Help TCV spread the news about such an incredible initiative and follow Tri-City Volunteers Food Bank social media. Here’s to sharing their light far and wide!
