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MIDVALE — When Jaime Douglass and her family fell on hard times, they sought help from the local food bank in Midvale. Douglass said when the family came home with the food they received at the beginning of October, they were surprised to find worms and mold on many of the items.
“I found bugs and meal worms in our mac and cheese. Mold on bread and open cereal boxes. Cans of food extremely old and bad meats,” Douglass said.
Douglass said she understands the food is donated, and is always grateful for the help her family can receive, but wished the food bank would have checked things over before she left, especially since she’s only allowed one trip to the food bank a month.
“They said we can only come once a month and this is what they give us?” Douglass said. “I understand it's donated food and time but they could look at dates check for bugs and for open boxes.”
It's unfortunate that she went home with that. We try to make the experience as good as possible
–Karen Kuipers
The Midvale Food Bank is part of the Salt Lake Community Action Program. Karen Kuipers is the Community Solutions Manager for the organization. She said if anyone ever gets home with food they find unsatisfactory, to please come back and talk to workers at the food bank.
"We feel terrible when things go through all the levels of screenings and someone still has a bad experience," Kuipers said.
She said the food is screened by full time staff and by the volunteers before it goes out.
"There are some guidelines we use when cans expire but we follow what the health department says," Kuipers said.
On the organization's website, it explains where most of the food items come from.
“The Utah Food Bank provides most of the food. Others donate also, including people who go door to door collecting turkeys for families to eat at Christmas and Thanksgiving.”
According to its website, the food bank feeds over 100,000 families every year.
“The pantries render a tremendous amount of service, some serving 100′s of clients daily, and assistance from volunteers is absolutely essential in day-to-day operations.”
Kuipers said she hopes no one will ever be scared to go to the food bank because of a bad experience, and that staff is always willing to help.
"It's unfortunate that she went home with that," Kuipers said. "We try to make the experience as good as possible"
Douglass said she isn’t trying to cause problems, she just wants to make sure the food needy families are receiving is the highest quaility.
“I think its fair for people to know my story so maybe the food donated will be fresh and safe for Utah families,” Douglass said.
