Beaches Emergency Assistance Ministry - Client Choice Food Pantry

BEAM clients now select their food in a mini-supermarket environment rather than being given a pre-packaged bag containing some items that they may not be familiar with or use. Clients feel more empowered and free to choose what best meets their families' needs, resulting in less discarded food waste. This new approach is considered a "best practice" model in the non-profit community and it is a first in the Jacksonville area. As part of the "client choice" initiative, BEAM is partnering with the Brooks College of Health at the University of North Florida. During the fall and spring semesters, UNF undergraduate and graduate students in the nutrition program come to BEAM to help clients learn more about good nutrition and plan healthy meals. It's a win-win with the students getting hands-on experience in the community and clients learning more about the nutritional benefits of different foods. The 2,000 square-foot pantry officially opened in October 2012. The new pantry is the result of a generous outpouring of talents, treasure and lots of sweat equity by individuals, churches, clubs and organizations in the beaches community. No government money was used for the development of the new pantry.