Join the Fight Against Hunger: How the Food Bank of Wyoming is Committed to Nourishing Every Community

CASPER, Wyo. — The Food Bank of Wyoming is gearing up for 2025 with a clear mission: to make sure everyone in the state has enough to eat. They are exploring new ways to enhance their programs and initiatives to combat hunger effectively.

In 2024, the Food Bank distributed over 12 million pounds of food across 23 counties in Wyoming. Looking ahead, their focus is on efficiently supporting communities with food access.

One key initiative is the FRESH Express Route, launched in 2023. This program delivers fresh produce to over 50 Hunger Relief Partners. This year, they plan to expand the route to southeastern Wyoming. “The FRESH Express Route has significantly increased access to nutritious food, providing over 828,000 pounds of fresh produce since its start!” shared Richard Plumlee, Director of Operations. The goal now is to improve delivery efficiency for even better service.

In addition to the FRESH Express Route, the Food Bank is ramping up its food rescue efforts and fostering partnerships with local farmers. Their Food Rescue Team aims to minimize food waste by reclaiming surplus from retail stores. By connecting with Wyoming growers, they hope to provide more locally sourced food to families in need, while also strengthening ties with producers from last year’s Local Food Purchasing Agreement (LFPA) program.

“Our goal for 2025 is to increase donations while cutting down food waste,” stated Odessa Oldham, Food Sourcing Manager. To achieve this, they’re working to engage local food and grocery retailers, showing them the positive impact of their donations on the community.

The Food Bank is also dedicated to improving food access in tribal communities. Partnering with food banks in South Dakota, North Dakota, and Montana, they’re part of the 104° West Collaborative, which supports tribal-led initiatives. This collaboration aims to create a shared fund for innovative food access projects, such as the Sweetgrass Food Lodges, developed with tribal community leaders.

However, the Food Bank can’t achieve its goals alone. They rely on community support for daily operations, from sourcing and purchasing food to distributing it through various programs like mobile pantries and Food for Kids. If you want to help, consider volunteering at their Casper distribution center or with local partners, or make a donation to support their mission.