Spring is here, and it’s the perfect time to refresh and reset! As we transition into warmer weather, it’s especially important to make sure your food storage areas are clean, organized, and ready for the heat of summer.

Seasonal cleaning helps ensure the food you serve is safe, your space is efficient, and your operations remain compliant with health standards. It's not just about tidiness, but about protecting the people you feed and making the most of your valuable donations. Below are some tips on how to clean out the pantry and refrigerator in order to keep your space safe, efficient, and summer-ready:

Refrigerator Safety:

• Keep between 34°–40°F; use a thermometer if needed
• Wipe spills quickly with soapy water (no harsh cleaners)
• Toss leftovers after 4 days, raw meat after 1–2 days
• Vacuum coils and clean surfaces regularly for efficiency

Pantry Guidelines:

• Toss damaged cans/jars (rusty, bulging, leaking, etc.)
• Check dates:
  • “USE By” = toss after
  • “BEST if Used By” = still safe, but may lose quality
• Shelf-Life: 
  
  • • High-acid (tomatoes, citrus): 12–18 months
    • Low-acid (meat, veggies): 2–5 years
• Prevent pests: wipe shelves and containers regularly

While beef is on the menu year-round, National Beef Month is a great time to inspire families, friends, and neighbors to enjoy it more often, and to celebrate the ranching lifestyle that makes it all possible. With warmer weather and longer days, May also signals the unofficial start of summer, making it the perfect time to fire up the grill and enjoy beef, an easy, flavorful choice for cookouts and everyday meals.

Beef is packed with high-quality protein, iron, zinc, and B vitamins, nutrients that help keep our communities strong and energized. By choosing beef, especially from local ranchers, you are supporting the hardworking families behind your food, while helping provide nutritious meals to the people who need them most.

Beef is easy to incorporate into a wide variety of meals, from chili and tacos to stews, sandwiches, and one-pan skillet dishes. It’s a simple way to create hearty, satisfying meals that stretch ingredients and nourish your community.

Celebrate this month by shopping Agency Express to see what beef options are available for your pantry or meal program. Stock up while supplies last, and help us honor the ranching roots that feed our tables every day!

 Important Dates

  May 11            Mother's Day

  May 26            Memorial Day; Food Bank of Wyoming is closed*

  June 25-26      Food Bank of Wyoming End of Year Inventory*

 *all truck routes reflect any necessary changes to accommodate this event

On April 25, Food Bank of Wyoming hosted a special Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon to celebrate the incredible individuals who dedicate their time and energy to helping us serve communities across the state. The event was held in honor of National Volunteer Month, recognizing the hard work, compassion, and unwavering commitment of our volunteers in our mission to end hunger.

Volunteers are the heart of our mission. In 2024, their impact has been truly significant:

• 1,141 volunteers served across the state
• 9,912 hours were contributed at our distribution center
  • These hours equal the work of nearly five full-time employees
• Over 2,600 mobile pantry food boxes were packed and distributed each month
• More than 12 million pounds of food were distributed across all 23 Wyoming counties

Food Bank of Wyoming depends on the generosity of volunteers and community partners to carry out our work. Whether it’s lending a hand in the distribution center or helping at mobile pantries, every action adds up to real impact. We are deeply grateful for the dedication of our volunteer team. Together, we are building stronger communities and bringing hope to Wyomingites facing food insecurity.

Join the fight against food insecurity with the Wyoming Hunger Initiative’s Grow A Little Extra Initiative. In partnership with the University of Wyoming's Cent$ible Nutrition Program and the Master Gardener Program, you can help by growing extra produce for local anti-hunger organizations.

Pick up free seeds at your local UW Extension office or donate your own crops. Whether growing at home or in a community garden, your contributions help provide fresh produce to our neighbors facing food insecurity. Care for your garden all summer and deliver extra produce to your local UW Extension office for distribution!

Have you seen the new SWAP (Supporting Wellness at Pantries) rankings under the "Nutritional Information" column on Agency Express?

They have been available since March 1 and are a helpful tool for choosing nutrient-rich items for neighbors visiting your pantry, congregate feeding sites, group homes, and other programs. SWAP helps guide you in selecting more nutritious options that support the well-being of the people you serve. 

Partner Spotlight: Boys and Girls Club

of Sweetwater County

The Boys & Girls Club of Sweetwater County, located in Rock Springs, has proudly served youth ages 6-18 for 15 years, celebrating its anniversary on February 14! The Club offers affordable after-school and summer programming in key areas, including character and leadership skills, education, social/emotional development, STEAM, the arts, and recreation. These programs provide a safe, supportive environment where youth can grow, learn, and build positive relationships.

For over a decade, their partnership with Food Bank of Wyoming has played a vital role in supporting Club families facing food insecurity. Through this collaboration, families gain access to nutritious food, fresh produce, and balanced meals. The Totes of Hope® program, offered weekly, provides kids and their families with enough food for four to five meals, including items like cereal, soup, ground beef, pasta, cheese, and supplemental items for larger households.

Food Bank of Wyoming’s bulk purchasing power and grant support have enabled the Club to expand food access for members. This partnership eases the burden many families face when choosing between nutritious food and other essential expenses. Together, the Boys & Girls Club of Sweetwater County and Food Bank of Wyoming are helping local families thrive.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

Food Bank of Wyoming aspires to meet individuals where they are with the foods they need based on their unique circumstances and culture. We show up for any person experiencing hunger knowing that food insecurity can impact any of us at various points in our lives. Today, we may be packing produce for a person facing an unforeseen health crisis and tomorrow we may be providing a weekend food bag to a child whose caregiver may be struggling to find a well-paying job. The circumstances may be different, but we never waver from our mission of igniting the power of community to nourish people facing hunger.

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