Like many food banks and emergency food networks, the Bonney Lake Food Bank experienced incredible client count and volume growth due to COVID-19 and its impacts over the last 18 months. Alongside this growth, we have seen opportunities for improvement and innovation within the current systems that remove barriers to food access for those facing food insecurity.

While we have a new Market that serves as our primary distribution method and hub, we recognize that this is not a solution for all people, in particular in rural and remote areas in East Pierce County. The following barriers still exist for 50% or more of the population we serve:

• Accessibility. Lack of transportation is an issue for households to access the food bank. In rural district 1, there are limited bus routes, the food bank is not within walking distance, mobility issues, and gas costs are a barrier for food access.
• Individual Barriers. Some individuals have difficulty coming to the food bank within the designated operating hours. This could be due to the social stigma of going to a food bank, work schedule, illness or COVID-19 quarantines, or other life events.
• Food Deserts. Limited access to affordable nutritional foods throughout Pierce County, especially within the rural cities of district 1, is prevalent. Food Deserts are present in rural parts of the state. There are under served populations in these remote communities that lack accessible options for nutritious food.

While we have also offered a delivery service to try and offset barriers to access to food, there are still gaps in service that could improve with innovative technology. Optimizing our limited resources using technology will redirect resources spent on non-value-added activities toward an increase in our Mission.