MARC Annual Meeting Highlights Strength of Our Network

In a conference room overlooking the active scene of the world’s largest fully enclosed, fully refrigerated wholesale produce terminal, twenty-six food banks, four Feeding America Partner State Associations (PSAs), and two Regional Co-ops came together for the Mid-Atlantic Regional Cooperative’s (MARC) Annual Membership Meeting. The through line of the meeting was the strength of our network in collaboration.

“When we put our buying power together and our purchasing power together, it positively impacts not just the MARC membership but the network as a whole,” said Jesslyn Hill, Manager of Regional Agri Sourcing and Sharing at Feeding America, during a panel discussion on Easter Regional Co-ops and PSAs Working Together.

Getting more fresh, nutritious food to neighbors facing hunger takes a connected network working together to make the most of available resources, overcome logistics challenges, and move food efficiently to the communities that need it. The MARC, a program of Feeding Pennsylvania, plays an important role in bringing these partners and resources together.

By leveraging collective purchasing power, transportation expertise, and partnerships that span geographic boundaries, the MARC and its partners help food banks access more food, more efficiently and affordably.

The Power of a Connected Network

The size and reach of Feeding Pennsylvania’s network, including the MARC, create important advantages in sourcing and distributing food to communities across the region.

At the Annual Membership Meeting, representatives from regional cooperatives and Partner State Associations discussed how their organizations work together to source fresh produce, coordinate distribution, and manage challenges such as seasonal supply shortages and unpredictable growing conditions.

For example, when one region’s growing season ends, partnerships with growers and cooperatives in other regions can help maintain access to fresh produce.

“It was a tough storage crop season in FY26 due to weather conditions,” said Katelyn Majors, Procurement Manager at the MARC. “Together our organizations worked through the challenges of a wet fall in the south that impacted carrots, onions, and other essential crops for food banks. Our network of food banks, co-ops and partner state associations collaborated to fill these gaps and ensure a reliable source of fresh, nutritious produce for food banks throughout the year.”

When a local food bank cannot accept the full amount of food available from an agricultural donor, regional partners can help connect that surplus with other food banks that can use it.

“The goal is always to prioritize the relationship with the local food bank,” said Cindy Stapleton, Farm to Food Bank Director for Feeding the Carolinas. “But when the local food bank was unable to take in the full amount of surplus apples, we were able to step in.”

Cindy made a deal with the grower to supply the local food bank with what it could take free of charge and put up the rest for purchase by the rest of our combined network to move full loads—at a fair price for both the farmer and the food banks.

Expanding Access to Nutritious Choices

Fresh produce has been a longstanding cornerstone of the MARC’s work. Through relationships with agricultural producers and regional partners, the cooperative helps food banks access a consistent supply and greater variety of fruits and vegetables, including items that may not be available locally year-round.

The MARC is now building on that experience to expand its sourcing efforts into protein and dairy.

Through Feeding America’s Regional Network Assets Grant, the MARC is developing new opportunities to source and distribute protein and dairy across its membership.

In the pilot phase, the MARC is building vendor partnerships, collaborating with protein repack rooms, exploring coordinated purchasing opportunities, and identifying more efficient ways to transport refrigerated foods.

By applying the same collaborative approach that has strengthened fresh produce sourcing, the MARC is working to make a wider variety of nutritious, culturally preferred foods more accessible and affordable for food banks through this grant-supported effort.

“What stood out to me at the MARC Membership Meeting was seeing the purpose of the Feeding America Agri Foods Sourcing and Sharing Grant come to life,” said Hill. “Around the room were partnerships expanding access to protein and dairy, strengthening transportation capacity, and creating new ways for cooperatives to support their member food banks.”

These efforts support Feeding PA’s broader commitment to improving access to healthy, diverse foods that meet the needs and preferences of neighbors facing hunger.

Leveraging Our Network’s Strength Beyond Food Access

By coordinating purchases across multiple food banks and leveraging shared transportation and logistical expertise, the MARC and its partners can also reduce transportation costs, improve efficiency, and help food reach communities more quickly.

In fiscal year 2026, the MARC delivered food to 131 locations, compared to 74 just three years earlier. Approximately 26% of the MARC’s distribution volume went directly to partner agencies, helping bring food closer to the communities where it would ultimately be distributed.

By participating in a larger freight network like the MARC, food banks gain better carrier access, planning flexibility, and negotiating leverage. These efficiencies are especially important as food banks navigate increasing demand, rising food and transportation costs, and reductions in traditional food sources.

“The reliability of the MARC’s transportation has been a huge relief and benefit,” said Jim Germain, Sr. Director of Produce and Logistics at Feeding New York State.

Collaboration Creates Stronger Solutions

The MARC Annual Membership Meeting gave partners across the charitable food network a chance to share expertise, discuss common challenges, and identify new ways to work together.

Throughout the two-day event, participants explored everything from the logistics of moving fresh produce to emerging opportunities for protein and dairy sourcing, shared transportation, and cross-regional partnerships.

“At a time when our network is preparing for increased need following SNAP cuts, that collaboration matters tremendously,” Hill reflected. “I left inspired by the commitment of MARC, the other cooperatives, and our panelists to keep building, adapting, and sharing solutions that strengthen food banks and the communities they serve. I’m incredibly grateful for their investment in our network and excited to see these partnerships continue to grow and take on a life of their own.”

These partnerships support the continued development of a stronger, more adaptable charitable food network. Sharing knowledge, resources, and infrastructure across organizations helps food banks respond to changing needs, use available resources more effectively, and develop innovative solutions to longstanding challenges.

Learn more about the MARC at marcproduce.org