CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Food pantries play a critical role in providing vital nourishment to individuals and families in need. As the demand for pantry services continues to rise, it is essential for staff and volunteers to be equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to operate efficiently, serve diverse populations, and maintain a safe, welcoming environment. University of Illinois Extension has curated a training series to enhance food pantry operations, support effective client interactions, and address key challenges faced by food pantries.
This comprehensive training series covers essential topics like pantry organization, food safety, cultural humility, and the importance of understanding different dietary needs. The training is designed to provide practical strategies and valuable insights to help food pantry teams improve their services and better meet the needs of their communities.
HYBRID TRAINING SCHEDULE:
April 24, 7:30 AM – 9:00 AM Optional (Non-Restaurant) Food Handler’s Training (In-Person Only)
April 24, 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM Full Food Pantry Training Series:
- Decluttering Your Pantry: Learn how to organize pantry spaces for efficiency, ease of access, and improved client experience
- Food Safety & Disaster Preparedness: Essential food safety practices and emergency preparedness strategies for food pantries.
- Using Canned Food, Understanding Different Diets, and Trauma & Food: Explore best practices for using canned food and providing appropriate support for individuals with diverse dietary needs.
- Bridges Toward Better: Understanding cultural differences in food preferences and providing more inclusive and respectful support.
(snacks and lunch are provided for in-person attendees)
VIRTUAL TRAINING SCHEDULE:
- May 1, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM – Decluttering Your Pantry
- May 8, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM – Food Safety & Disaster Preparedness
- May 15, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM – Using Canned Food, Understanding Different Diets, and Trauma & Food
- May 22, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM – Cultural Humility
Each session is designed to be interactive, allowing participants to engage with the content and discuss practical applications in their food pantry settings.
“We know that food pantries are on the front lines of supporting vulnerable individuals and families, and we want to equip staff and volunteers with the tools they need to make a lasting impact,” said Emily Harmon, Family Life Educator. “This training series is an opportunity to improve pantry operations, enhance client relationships, and provide critical services to those in need.”
All in-person sessions will be held at the Champaign County Extension Auditorium(801 North Country Fair Drive, Champaign). To learn more about the series or to get registered, visit go.illinois.edu/foodpantrytraining
University of Illinois Extension develops educational programs, extends knowledge, and builds partnerships to support people, communities, and their environments as part of the state's land-grant institution. Extension serves as the leading public outreach effort for University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences in all 102 Illinois counties through a network of 27 multi-county units and over 700 staff statewide. Extension’s mission is responsive to eight strategic priorities — community, economy, environment, food and agriculture, health, partnerships, technology and discovery, and workforce excellence — that are served through six program areas — 4-H youth development, agriculture and agribusiness, community and economic development, family and consumer science, integrated health disparities, and natural resources, environment, and energy.