YCP is officially a 'Choice Pantry.' This means our Pantry members now place their custom orders, selecting from
a range of items in specific food groups, including grain, protein, vegetable, fruit and dairy categories. Each
Pantry member is able to choose twelve nutritionally balanced, culturally appropriate meals for their pantry bag per visit.
Choice doesn’t stop at the type of food Pantry members get to choose, however. In order to best meet the diverse
schedules and needs of our Pantry members, YCP now offers two different methods to choose from when placing their orders:
- 1) The first option allows Pantry members to pre-order by accessing a customized menu tailored to their family size.
This is done through a web-based menu option called YCP Direct, which allows clients to access the current week's pantry menu,
submit their order online, and pick up their order at a convenient time.
- 2) The second option allows members to place same-day orders on-site at YCP via one of the available touch-screen tablets.
In this option, volunteers help Pantry members place their custom orders. Once the order is completed, it is wirelessly
transmitted to the Pantry, where other volunteers pack each Pantry member’s bag according to their specifications.
Whether ordering using
YCP Direct or on-site, Pantry members make their own selections and take home their packages in their preferred
timeframe. For those whom English is a second language, the menus can be easily translated into one of 26 additional languages.
YCP Direct's system is unique for a food pantry. It saves people time and allows people not only to choose their food, but
to do so in a thoughtful way at their convenience. "Some of the feedback we have gotten is that our families have such limited
choices when they shop, whether it is due to geographic access, a lack of resources, or both. YCP Direct allows Pantry members
to either order from home, at a community center or a public library. It allows people to check their cupboards and refrigerators
before ordering. We believe it is the best way to help people stretch their food dollars, to eliminate waste, and dignify the
experience of being a Pantry member", said Stephen Grimaldi, YCP’s Executive Director.
Pantry member Ollie Reeves, a 77 year-old resident of Central Harlem has been visiting the Pantry since 2000. Recently, she
took time to describe her reaction to the new ordering system. Ollie has diabetes and has always struggled with making sure
she has items in her kitchen that work best for her medical and dietary needs. "So now, with YCP Direct I can choose fruit and
vegetables that I want specifically for my needs!" News of Choice Pantry and YCP Direct brought a smile to Ollie Reeves' face
and she clapped her hands with thanks. Ms. Reeves told YCP she will now be placing her Pantry order on the computers available
at her neighborhood Senior Center.
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We look forward to hearing more stories from clients on how
YCP Direct and our new Choice Pantry is helping them!
Check out this video about our Client, Cynthia Callwood, talking to
WNBC’s Melissa Russo about Choice Pantry and
YCP Direct online ordering.
