In early spring of 2021, Wayside Food Programs with the help of KDK Consulting Group, held virtual focus groups with 33 leaders and interested representatives from seven immigrant communities to gather information for better understanding food security among the immigrant community and to identify desired foods to help us tailor what food we procure and share with our community. In addition to beginning to tailor our own offerings with items such as cassava flour, Basmati rice, dates and dried fish, as a result of the focus groups, Wayside is sharing this critical information with other local groups and the public to help create a foundation of basic ingredients, individually customize packages for each community and its preferred items, maximize services to our immigrant community, and waste less food and resources. Find the Results of the Report linked here. News Articles about the project:Portland food program launches effort to better meet immigrants' needs - Portland Press HeraldTotal Maine with Steve Minich - WMTW Channel 8Maine food bank collects food for immigrant communities - WGME Channel 13Wayside Food Programs works to better serve immigrant communities - WCSH Channel 6
