SPRINGFIELD – With the coronavirus pandemic enhancing issues with food insecurity locally and nation-wide, the Springfield division of Rachel’s Table on 1160 Dickinson St. continues to vigilantly curb the growing trend.

Director of Rachel’s Table Jodi Falk shared that food insecurity rates in Massachusetts rose from 8.2 percent pre-COVID-19, to 19.6 percent during its height. Nationally, the food insecurity rate is 16.4 percent, and while Falk noticed some easement in the state rate, it remains well ahead of pre-2020 norms.

“The need has lessened, but it hasn’t gone back to pre-[coronavirus] pandemic needs by any means,” said Falk in an interview with Reminder Publishing. Other challenges, like the gradual rise in inflation, are also adding to the food insecurity challenges.

According to Falk, the coronavirus pandemic only heightened what was already a mounting problem in Massachusetts. From 2018 to 2020, the state featured the largest food insecurity rate increase in the entire nation.

The growing need has inspired Rachel’s Table to increase their food distribution efforts. Falk shared that the provider’s usual allocation of 25,000 to 30,000 pounds of food a month increased to 70,000 to 140,000 pounds of food a month during the height of the coronavirus pandemic.

“Like many people and organizations, we all stepped up to the challenge. We’re all trying to find a way to sustain our work,” said Falk. The organization also increased the agencies they serve from 40 to 57. Currently, Falk said the food provider continues to sustain “most of” their output from the height of the coronavirus pandemic.
Rachel’s Table utilizes several sources for providing food. Some food is purchased, some is gathered from food donors and other consumables are provided by their new, self-sufficient food program Growing Garden. This program helps agencies grow their own food and provides another sustainable source for produce.

“We serve pantries, we serve soup kitchens, we serve after school programs…We have many types of agencies that we serve…If people give either funds or food to Rachel’s Table, it will get to all of those agencies,” said Falk. The organization also helps people organize food drives in their local area.

Rachel’s Table works six days a week and relies upon over 200 volunteers to accomplish their mission. The food provider also took on extra responsibility by aiding refugees who arrived from Afghanistan and Ukraine over the last year.

“We are a small staff with a very large commitment,” said Falk.

In 2021, Rachel’s Table distributed over 750,000 pounds of food with their local Pioneer Valley partners, which marked more than a 100 percent increase from pre-coronavirus pandemic food deliveries. Falk expressed pride in the role Rachel’s Table plays in aiding the food insecurity crisis.

“It’s only a small part, but we hope it can be our way in aiding in food justice and access,” said Falk.

Falk stressed that Rachel’s Table would not be able to achieve these milestones without the help of donations and volunteers.

“The donations that go to us really impact our work tremendously,” said Falk.

Readers can learn more about Rachel’s Table and donation opportunities at https://rachelstablespringfield.org/.