Frequently Asked Questions.
What is Groceries2Go?
Groceries2Go is an eCommerce platform purpose-built by Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana to expand choice in charitable food distribution. Neighbors log on each week to shop and place grocery orders online, similar to a traditional retail experience.
Food banks and program sites use Groceries2Go to manage inventory, fulfillment, and distribution efficiently and at scale. Designed for multi-site operations, Groceries2Go supports the evolving needs of food banks nationwide.
What distribution models does Groceries2Go support?
Groceries2Go enables choice-based distribution — providing neighbors with the dignity of selecting the foods they want and need, which leads to better nutrition outcomes and reduced waste.
Groceries2Go currently supports hub & spoke ecommerce.
What is Hub & Spoke eCommerce?
Hub & Spoke eCommerce allows food banks to bring a retail-style shopping experience to multiple communities through a centralized system.
How it works:
1. Neighbors place grocery orders online 2–3 days in advance
2. Orders are picked and packed at a central hub
3. Packed orders are transported to partner program sites
4. Program sites distribute groceries to neighbors
This model expands reach, improves product variety, and reduces storage burdens for partner sites.
What does it mean to be an Early Adopter?
Early Adopters are the first food banks to launch Groceries2Go in real programs and work alongside Gleaners to refine the platform.
As an Early Adopter, you will:
- Implement a choice-based distribution model using Groceries2Go
- Test features and share insights to guide future enhancements
- Collaborate with other Early Adopter food banks on best practices
Early Adopters are innovation partners helping shape technology designed for the Feeding America network.
Is my Food Bank A good Fit?
Your organization may be a strong candidate if it:
- Has a commitment to expanding Neighbor Choice
- Has staff capacity to support planning and operations
- Has at least one partner site ready to participate
- Has reliable Wi-Fi and basic IT support
No advanced technical background is required. Gleaners provides onboarding and ongoing support.
Why Join Now?
Early Adopters receive:
- Priority access to the Groceries2Go platform
- Dedicated training and operational support
- Influence over future features and improvements
Your participation helps demonstrate what is possible when neighbors are given real choice in food access.