WHITEFISH — A group of Flathead Valley restaurants are cooking prepared meals for food bank clients in need.
Andy Blanton, the executive chef and owner of Cafe Kandahar told MTN News that the North Valley Food Bank is looking for healthy meal options to provide to their customers.
Typically, the food bank gets a lot of their produce from the Food Rescue Program which is when grocery stores in the area donate almost expired food. But the program is not running due to COVID-19 concerns.
Blanton says the Whitefish Community Foundation created an emergency fund of $10,000 that pays restaurants like Cafe Kandahar to prepare meals. This involves multiple restaurants and is called Restaurants Providing Healthy Meals for Families Program.
Blanton says Cafe Kandahar is just a one of many establishments involved in the Restaurants Providing Healthy Meals for Families Program. Whitefish Lake Restaurant, Tupelo Grille, Buffalo Cafe, Last Chair Kitchen, Pescado Blanco, Swift Creek Cafe and Cypress Yard have all been involved in this program assisting the food bank.
Blanton says their goal is to provide hearty stews and soups for those in need. "It's very fulfilling and especially when we're in a time where things are uncertain. So, we looked and it and said what can we do to help now?"
He told MTN News that he and his staff are taking proper precautions to wear masks, maintain social distancing and sanitize drop off bins. Blanton suggests that anyone who wants to get involved should donate to the North Valley Food Bank and the Whitefish Community Foundation.
