A quiet shift in legislation has brought a miracle to Utah Valley's food bank.

For perhaps the first time ever, the food bank is beginning to have a large and regular supply of milk, meat, fresh vegetables, dairy and bakery products to give to needy families alongside staple canned foods.

For years, the food bank struggled sometimes to get regular donations of fresh food before it expired from local grocery stores because of fears of liability issues associated with donating food nearing expiration dates.

To put it more simply, some stores threw food away, rather than give it to the food bank, because of fears of being sued.

Now, national legislation releasing stores from liability when donating to food banks has brought a corporate change of heart that is directly impacting our local families, said food bank officials.

"We've had more businesses that have determined they are not going to throw away food," said Myla Dutton, director of Community Action Services.

With the number of families applying for food help jumping to record levels, the timing of the new donations could not be more fortuitous. The Utah Valley food bank is now serving an average of 200 families a day, compared to 75-80 families a day at this time last year, said Jim Thomas, director of the Provo food bank.

Many, if not most, local grocery stores have already begun donating fresh food, or are in the process of scheduling regular donations. These stores include Wal-Mart, Sam's Club, Target, Albertsons, Smith's and Sunflower Market, among others.

The importance of these donations cannot be overstated, said food bank officials. Meat, milk and fresh vegetables mean the food bank is now able to distribute healthier, better-balanced nutrition to those least able to afford to feed their families.

Orem's Sunflower Market gives hundreds of pounds of food a week to the Utah Valley food bank.

"We just knew there were people in this town that needed some help and we figured it was better to do it this way than throw it in a dumpster," said John Schulter, who manages daily donations to the food bank for Sunflower Market. "We knew there were a lot of things they didn't get when it came to fresh vegetables and dairy. We are very, very happy to help organizations like the food bank, especially now, because it is tight right now for families."

"This is a terrific program that we're very proud to be a part of," said Stephanie Martin, spokesperson for Alberstons, which calls its donation program the Albertsons Fresh Rescue Program. "The items that we're able to provide are vital components of a healthy diet, but they are also the most difficult types of products for food banks and pantries to come by -- especially on a regular basis -- because they are fresh. And unfortunately, the food banks are seeing huge increases in demand, so getting them this product is an imperative to Albertsons."

Sam's Club, which is owned by Wal-Mart, helped pioneer fresh food donations nationally in 2006, said Tiffany Moffatt, spokesperson for Wal-Mart and Sam's Club. In 2009, Wal-Mart expects to donate 90 million pounds of food nationwide.

"By giving nutritious produce, meat and other groceries, we'll become one of Feeding America's largest food donors," said Moffatt. All this "at a time when more and more families are struggling to put food on the table. ... These donations are another way we can carry out our promise to help customers save more and live better, especially in these unprecedented times of need."

Target is on track to donate 17 million pounds of food nationwide by the end of 2009, said Jana O'Leary, Target spokesperson. Target, Wal-Mart and many other major national chains make their donations though the Feeding America program, a national nonprofit which works to help stores donate food rather than throw it away.

"With more than 1,600 stores in 48 states, we understand and appreciate our role as a corporate citizen," said O'Leary.

For more information:

Community Action Services of Provo

Address: 815 S. Freedom Blvd., Provo

Phone: 373-8200

Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Web site: www.communityactionprovo.org