How CAER Sources Food

If you’ve ever stepped inside CAER Food Shelf, you’ve likely noticed the bright, welcoming space that feels more like a small grocery store than a typical food shelf. That’s intentional. CAER follows a choice model, allowing individuals and families to select the foods that best meet their needs—reducing waste and honoring personal and cultural preferences. It’s all about dignity, flexibility, and creating a positive, respectful experience.

Still, one question often comes up when visitors see shelves filled with fresh produce, dairy, meat, pantry staples, and personal care items:

“Where does all this food come from?”

The answer: a lot of places. Some donated, some purchased. Some rescued from retail shelves, and some grown in backyards or local fields.

Food Rescue

Food rescue is one of the most impactful and sustainable ways CAER stocks its shelves. We partner with local grocery stores—including Coborn’s, Walmart, Aldi, Kwik Trip, and Target—to pick up food that’s still high quality but nearing its “sell by” date.

In 2024 alone, our food rescue team recovered over 500,000 pounds of food—everything from fresh produce and dairy to meat and baked goods.



Every item is carefully inspected and sorted before it ever reaches the shelf—because every family deserves food that’s fresh, recognizable, and safe to eat.

Working with Food Banks and Retailers

Many are surprised to learn that CAER also purchases a large portion of food from trusted partners like Second Harvest Heartland and The Food Group, which operate much like wholesale distributors. Some items are cost-effective, others depend on availability and pricing.

These purchases keep our shelves stocked with essentials—milk, eggs, canned goods, proteins, grains, and more.

We also purchase specialty items from local grocery stores and discount retailers when specific needs arise, helping us offer more diverse and inclusive options to the people we serve.

CAER receives food through The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP)—a federal initiative that purchases food from U.S. farmers and distributes it through regional food banks, which for CAER is Second Harvest Heartland.

TEFAP typically accounts for about 20% of CAER’s annual food supply, helping us provide proteins, fruits, vegetables, and dairy. Like many federally funded programs, its future depends on evolving government budgets, but it remains a critical part of our food sourcing today.

Locally Grown Donations

Some of the fresh produce you’ll see at CAER comes from local farmers and community gardeners. When available, this seasonal produce adds freshness, nutrition, and often culturally familiar foods to our shelves.



We also gladly accept homegrown produce from local residents during the growing season. It’s a simple and meaningful way for neighbors to nourish neighbors.

Community Donations

One of our most flexible and heartfelt sources of food is you—our community. Whether through food drives, individual drop-offs, or group efforts from schools, businesses, or places of worship, these donations help keep our shelves full.

They also allow for greater variety—offering brands, flavors, and ingredients that help us better reflect and respect the diverse families who shop at CAER.



Even more than that, they show families they’re not alone—that their community cares.

What CAER Needs Most

CAER thrives because of strong partnerships—with volunteers, donors, retailers, food banks, and neighbors. But as food prices rise and federal programs shift, we’re constantly working to meet growing needs.

Sometimes that means getting creative. Sometimes it means being honest: we might be short on peanut butter, rice, cooking oil, or canned fruit—and the only way to fill that gap is with your support.

You can help by:

• Donating high-need items (check our website for a current list)
• Giving financially—your dollars go further when we buy in bulk
• Hosting a food or fund drive with your school, business, or faith group

Let’s Keep the Shelves Full—Together

When you support CAER, you’re doing more than stocking shelves. You’re making nutritious food available, creating a welcoming experience, and ensuring that every visit feels respectful and supportive.

Thank you for being part of this community.