The Oregon Food Bank, of which SCFS is a member of, is fully certified by America’s Second Harvest. As part of this certification process, the food bank undergoes regular inspections by professional sanitation engineers from the food industry who volunteer their services. These specialists help keep the food bank in compliance with federal, state and industry guidelines for inventory control, best practices and sanitation. In addition to this technical assistance from the food industry, trained professionals from America’s Second Harvest conduct compliance evaluations every two years. This compliance function is augmented in certified affiliate food banks by periodic inspections by other entities appropriate to food warehouses, e.g. health and fire departments and appropriate state and local agencies. These regular compliance inspections ensure the integrity of the food and that all products and merchandise are protected from Weather; Pests; Inventory Theft; and Illegal Sales.
- Weather – Certified affiliates of American’s Second Harvest meet standards for physical plant maintenance. Interior temperatures are controlled for optimal food storage conditions.
- Pests – Certified food banks comply with proper sanitation and food storage procedures, and are monitored regularly by experts in quality and pest control.
- Theft – Professional inventory control procedures are part of the standard operating procedures at the food bank. Staff members are professionally trained in proper handling of inventories. In addition, exacting recordkeeping systems are required for all America’s Second Harvest Food Banks.
- Illegal Resale – Certified food banks monitor product distribution closely. Agencies may order only the appropriate amounts necessary to supply the needs of their specific programs and are required to maintain records pertaining to distribution for the most recent three years. Agencies and the food bank sign a contract that describes their joint responsibilities in this area. At the request of a donor, all distributions can be traced and recalled if necessary. This system helps ensure accountability of product use, thereby preventing product resale problems.
