On Shift: Hub Sorting
Ever wondered what goes on during a Food Link volunteer shift? For our second edition of “On Shift,” our Admin Assistant Darcy accompanied volunteers in sorting fresh fruits, vegetables, and more at our Hub. Whether you are a long-time volunteer or a visitor looking to learn more, keep reading to get a taste of volunteering at Food Link!
I hopped down the stairs to the Hub’s sorting area, hardly believing a month had passed since my last Hub sorting shift. My mind flurried in anticipation of spending more time in the lively space and supporting my fellow Food Link staff and volunteers. When I arrived, I was greeted by Operations Leads Emma and Bridget M., by eighties music resonating from the speakers, and by stacks of banana boxes packed with food from Medford Stop and Shop and Whole Foods. Under Emma’s invitation, the volunteers and I created name tag stickers for ourselves so we could easily recognize one another. Seeing the high quantity of boxes and not wanting to waste any time, I slipped on my gloves and began sorting.
Image Description: Stacks of banana boxes await sorting. Two boxes are open and hold potatoes and onions respectively.
While our grocery sorter-packer shifts allow us to sort directly on location, we often have to contend with limited outdoor space and with time constraints. On the other hand, by sorting at the Hub, we can ensure the food is prepared on time to be sent to our recipient agencies. Similar to our grocery sorter-packer shifts, we each took on different boxes, but the shared environment of the Hub allowed us to easily call one another in for guidance and chat with one another as we worked. As we sorted our way through the volumes of food, we chatted about our music preferences and childhood memories alongside discussing our food sorting. I took on the boxes of citruses, apples, and pears while other volunteers sorted the boxes of meat, berries, and eggs.
Image Description: A box of lemons, limes, oranges, peaches, and a watermelon.
At Food Link, in order to meet the needs of our community partners, we sort and customize food donations by quality and type so that only the best and most relevant foods are sent to our recipient agencies. When food arrives from our donors, oftentimes the donations have not been thoroughly inspected or organized by the providers, so it is up to us to compost inedible items and arrange the food by type. As I began, I found that knowing which foods were of high enough quality to send and which must be composted or could be saved for volunteers took practice. Some of the fruits and citruses I sorted were crushed, bruised, molded, or torn beyond recognition and could immediately be composted, but others took more time for me to determine their fates. Fortunately, whenever I needed a second opinion, the other volunteers and staff were quick to provide support. Additionally, the Food Link Produce Sorting Guide – that we give to volunteers before their first shift – remained a handy reference.
Image Description: A volunteer reaches into a box of apples that sits next to a box of oranges.
Since there were dozens of boxes and numerous volunteers, it quickly became crucial to communicate with one another which boxes we were sorting and which stage of sorting we were at. As we tackled new boxes, we would announce the types of food we were sorting out loud so that others could contribute any appropriate items from their containers. Additionally, to avoid confusion, we let each other know when a box had been sorted. Then, we would write the date and type of food on the side of the completed box, making it easier to systematically store and organize our deliveries.
Image Description: Operations Associate Khadejeh opens a window.
While sorting at first glance may seem tedious, we brightened the mood with music and friendly discussions. At one point, Operations Associate Khadejeh opened the window to let in the breeze. As I continued on with my sorting, I felt grateful to be surrounded by such a warm company and delightful atmosphere. The kindness of the people around me and the cooperative nature of the environment made the shift go by quickly but pleasantly. When it came time to return to my administrative duties upstairs, I found myself hesitant to leave. However, I knew that it wouldn’t be long before I returned.
Image Description: Behind an open box of oranges squats stacks of sorted and labeled banana boxes ready to be distributed.
Thank you for making it to the bottom of the article! Are you interested in getting involved in our sorting and delivery shifts? We encourage you to sign up to volunteer on our Get Involved page. You can also subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on social media.
If you have any questions about volunteering, email us at info@foodlinkma.org or call us at 781-819-4225.