Shopper Orientation
In order to shop at Foodlink, staff and/or volunteers from your agency must attend a shopper orientation. Shopping at Foodlink is a bit different than shopping at a retail store. Our inventory changes constantly, we publish a weekly shopping list from which you pre-order by phone. We also administer various grants on behalf of your programs to cover the costs of storing and handling the food, and we work extra hard to target food items to specific programs such as large industry-food size canned vegetables for the hot meal programs. It is important for your shoppers to learn the ins and outs of utilizing the food bank in order to maximize the benefits and make the experience as easy as possible.
Shopper Orientation is held on the 3rd Monday of every month, unless it is a holiday. To register for the next orientation, please contact our Agency Services Team at (585) 328-3380 x148 or email mconnor@foodlinkny.org.
PLEASE NOTE: It is extremely important that your agency notifies Foodlink if you have a change in staffing of authorized shoppers. Unless notified, the current list on file of Certified Shoppers for your program will have the authority to acquire product from the food bank on your agency account. Please contact our Agency Services Department to update your authorized shoppers list with any changes at (585) 328-3380 x148 or email mconnor@foodlinkny.org.
Agency Advisory Council
We strive to support our 500-member network the best we can. To provide an opportunity for feedback, Foodlink created the Agency Advisory Council (AAC), which is made up of volunteer representatives of member programs. The AAC provides Foodlink with valuable insight and guidance to help us improve our operations such as identifying highly needed food products or program trainings. The AAC also works to improve the delivery of emergency food through the creation and monitoring of Community Standards.
If you are interested in joining the Agency Advisory Council, please contact our Agency Services Department (585) 328-3380 x148 or email mconnor@foodlinkny.org Together in partnership we can end hunger in our community.
Community Standards
Community Standards have been created by the Foodlink Agency Advisory Council to establish clarification of the roles and responsibilities of Emergency Food Providers as members of Foodlink in the 10 county service area. The Community Standards are the benchmark to which operations and practices of Emergency Food Providers will be held
accountable in efforts to serve clients in a more efficient and effective manner, while efficiently utilizing available foodbank resources in an equitable manner.
The goal of Community Standards is increased cooperation among Emergency Food Providers and programs to ensure that no one in our community goes hungry or without the vital services and support needed to overcome an emergency situation.
The vision is a community that has the best possible human service delivery programs that meet the needs of those in our community. This is achieved through strong cooperation, thorough understanding of the needs of those being served, and by a diverse approach to service delivery. The Community Standards provide a common foundation for Emergency Food Providers; however the individual programs and agencies will determine their own method of service delivery, as they will know their clients' needs the best.
Homeless and Hunger Guide
The 2004 Homeless and Hunger Guide is a full resource document featuring Monroe County services. The Guide is the result of a collaborative effort by the Homeless Service Network, The Housing council, Life Line, National Council of Jewish Women, and Foodlink.
The 2004 Guide is very similar to the guides of the past, offering information about the services available in the community. Each section will match the format of the previous versions of The Guide. If you have a former Guide, the tabs should match with the sections of the Table of Contents for easy assembly. The Food section has been expanded to include a listing of pantries where consumers can pick-up food for consumption at home. We have included a chart of meals listing the hot meals available at area soup/community kitchens in Rochester. This double-sided page lists the meals on one side and the locations on the other side. It is our intention that you will copy this meal listing for your consumers. | 
