Now Is the Time: Plan for National Nutrition Month
Welcome to the #GIVEHEALTHY Monthly Newsletter
designed to keep you informed and inspired. Our digital food drive system is built to eliminate traditional challenges, match donations to real needs, and strengthen donor relationships. Because hunger is a health issue, and better food means greater impact, we’re here to support food banks and pantries with smarter tools and meaningful updates each month.
February: Planning Ahead When the Need Is Greatest
February can feel like the long stretch of winter—after the holidays, before spring, and often when resources are stretched the thinnest. For food banks and pantries, this time of year is especially critical. Demand remains high, seasonal donations slow down, and many families are still facing food insecurity made worse by rising costs and limited support.
That reality makes the work of food banks and pantries more important than ever. And it’s why we see February not as a pause, but as a moment to prepare, strengthen partnerships, and look ahead.
Reviewing 2025 and Building for 2026
Right now, we’re in the middle of conversations with food bank and pantry partners across the country—reviewing 2025 results and planning for 2026. These discussions are invaluable. They help us understand what worked, what didn’t, and where we can better support your goals in the year ahead.
For many partners, that includes:
- Identifying the right moments to activate food drives
- Focusing on healthier, high-impact food donations
- Engaging new sponsors and donor communities
- Reducing operational burden while increasing results
Those insights directly shape how we build and refine #GiveHealthy.
New Toolkits to Support Your Work
Over the past several weeks, we’ve released several new #GiveHealthy toolkits designed to make it easier for both food banks and drive sponsors to plan, promote, and run successful food drives.
These toolkits are practical, easy to use, and built around real-world needs—whether you’re a pantry looking to maximize support or an organization planning a meaningful, mission-aligned drive.
National Nutrition Month: Now Is the Time to Prepare
One of our newest toolkits focuses on National Nutrition Month in March—and now is the time to get ready.
March is a powerful opportunity to engage donors around healthy food access and nutrition, but the most successful drives don’t start in March—they’re planned in February. Early preparation allows food banks and sponsors to align messaging, set goals, and mobilize their communities effectively.
If you’re a food bank or pantry partner, National Nutrition Month is a chance to:
- Highlight the importance of nutritious food
- Guide donors toward healthier contributions
- Engage sponsors with a timely, mission-driven theme
If you’re an organization considering a food drive, March is an ideal moment to take action—supporting hunger relief while reinforcing your commitment to health, wellness, and community impact.
Looking Ahead Together
Winter may still be with us, but this is a season for planning, collaboration, and momentum. We’re grateful for the ongoing partnership with food banks, pantries, and the organizations that step up to sponsor food drives—and we’re excited about what we’ll accomplish together in 2026.
If you haven’t already, now is the time to explore the new toolkits and start planning for National Nutrition Month. Let’s make the coming months count.
Current News
At least 1.75 fewer million people are receiving SNAP
The participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) has declined significantly, with an estimated 1.75 million fewer people receiving benefits since the start of the Trump administration. Analysts attribute the drop largely to policy changes, including stricter eligibility rules and administrative barriers, rather than improvements in household income or food security. Advocates warn that reduced enrollment does not necessarily signal less need, and many food banks and pantries are already seeing increased demand from families who have lost access to federal assistance. The shift highlights growing concerns that cuts or restrictions to SNAP could place additional pressure on community hunger-relief organizations across the country. (Civil Eats, 3 minute read)
Another Win in the Slow Progress of Proving Food is Medicine
The “Food is Medicine” movement, which integrates nutritious food into healthcare strategies to improve health outcomes and reduce costs, has continued to progress. Food banks and community organizations are increasingly recognized as key partners in these initiatives, with many programs focusing on expanding access to healthy food through public nutrition programs as well as medically tailored meals and groceries. However, the effort is still evolving, with challenges around funding, healthcare billing systems, and consistent terminology slowing broader adoption. Despite these barriers, recent developments—including new partnerships, research, and technical support networks—suggest growing momentum for using food access as a core component of healthcare and chronic disease prevention. (Food Bank News, 5 minute read)
Food insecurity remains elevated nationwide, USDA data shows
Recent USDA data shows that food hardship in the United States is worsening, with food insecurity reaching its highest level in roughly a decade and affecting millions of households. Rising living costs, the end of pandemic-era supports, and ongoing economic pressure are cited as key drivers behind the increase, leaving many families struggling to consistently afford enough food. The data highlights particularly high rates among households with children, single parents, and low-income communities, underscoring persistent disparities in access to nutritious food. Experts warn that without stronger safety nets and sustained investment in nutrition programs, food banks and pantries will continue facing elevated demand nationwide. (Food Chain Magazine, 6 minute read)
