Good Cheer received the Excellence in Food Resource Development award and $1,000 from the Food Lifeline conference at South Seattle Community College Thursday, March 27.

The award recognizes efforts in providing more food for people by procuring new product donations, developing food programs and strengthening donor relations.

The Food Lifeline conference brought together food banks throughout Western Washington for the annual conference. About 350 food bank representatives in the Western Washington region attended the ceremony.

Executive Director Kathy McCabe said in a press release that the credit for this award belongs to all of Good Cheer’s partners in the community. It took the efforts of many individuals and organizations to expand the program, she said.

The food bank was recognized for the Fresh Food on the Table program, which distributes highly nutritious and fresh vegetables that were previously unavailable to clients.

Since 2008, the amount of fresh food available grew from less than 0.1 pound per family to 2.3 pounds per family each month in 2013.

“South Whidbey Good Cheer’s Fresh Food on the Table program is an excellent example of food resource development in Food Lifeline’s network of 275 food programs throughout Western Washington,” said Tiffani Kaech, director of agency relations at Food Lifeline. “Good Cheer’s food bank customers now have greater access to highly nutritious produce and the community is getting involved in a positive and impactful way.”

Nutrition and cooking classes were also available at Good Cheer and clients reported a healthy change in eating habits. Good Cheer also contracts with local farmers to provide fresh produce throughout the winter months.