learn.tearfund.org/~/media/files...real_banks.pdf
Cereal banks can be an effective way to tackle food insecurity. This guide contains step-by-step advice on how to set up and run a cereal bank.
Cereal banks are community-based institutions that buy, store and sell basic food grains.
- Most cereal banks offer farmers the opportunity to store their harvest in a community warehouse and to wait until prices increase before selling their surplus in the market.
- Cereal banks can also benefit the most vulnerable people in the community. Grain purchased at harvest time is resold during the hunger gap at an affordable price.
- An alternative system is to have everyone put in grain and then, during times of crisis, to make this grain available for members of the community. Each person who has contributed to it can receive grain at a time when it is most needed.
- When food reserves have been used up, an empty bank can be used to store emergency food supplies.