"Are you cooking chili? It smells good in here."  That was the reaction of a food pantry volunteer that was recently in the Morton Division to pick up food. Yes, we were cooking chili – Tender Mercies style.

Midwest Food Bank Morton is the home site for Tender Mercies – a meal program of MFB. Each packet includes a high-grade rice, pre-cooked pinto beans, fortified chicken seasoning and a soy protein. When cooked with water Tender Mercies provides a nutritious and filling meal for four people. With the many products that come through Midwest Food Bank we challenged a local volunteer and dietician (thanks Stephanie!) to create some recipes using Tender Mercies as the base.

So, on a cold January day a batch of Tender Mercies Chili was available to sample – and smell. It's another way we try to add value to the pantries and agencies we serve.