Volunteer Food Runners– Have you completed your food run today?

Volunteers, did you know that there is one more food run step to complete after you drop food to recipient organizations? You need to fill in the “complete status” section in ChowMatch, Community Food Rescue’s (CFR) matching and reporting tool. This electronic method of reporting replaces the old-school paper tracking form that we used in the early days of CFR. This saves paper and creates a permanent record of each food run. When you complete status in ChowMatch you:

• Inform us that the food run is complete.
• Update the types and amounts of food that were picked up. Please estimate and correct the initial post, so we have an accurate record of what was actually donated.
• Note the pick up and drop off time, which is especially important to track foods that are under temperature control.
• Note any issues that we need to follow up on, such as the recipient not being there or better instructions on how to find a donor business, etc.
• Rate the food run, in Yelp style, so we know how it went.

To complete a food run in ChowMatch, click on the red button and fill in the details. If needed, click on the blue edit weight button to update the amount and types of food you actually picked up.

You can take care of this while on the go with ChowMatch on your phone’s mobile app. Or you can complete status from your computer. Here’s how:

Log in to your ChowMatch account, click on Volunteer, click on My Active or Past Food Runs, click the red Complete Status button. Fill in the form. The button will turn green once you fill in the information. If you need to update the types or amounts of food that you actually picked up, click on the Edit Weight button and make necessary changes. Be sure to click on the blue submit button at the bottom of the screen.

ChowMatch keeps a permanent record of each food run when you “complete status.” This is important for tracking food safety.

This process should only take a few minutes, and it is how we create a permanent record of each run for food safety and reporting. Thank you for being a CFR Food Runner and part of our valued volunteers so together we can feed more and waste less!