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Produce is the biggest source of wasted food

CHICAGO (CNN) -- For years, hunger relief groups have relied heavily on donations of surplus goods from food manufacturers to help feed the poor.

But changing food trends and better manufacturing technology have led to less surplus in recent years, forcing food banks to change how they operate.

"Food companies like Kraft have gotten more and more efficient through better production techniques, lower inventories and stronger quality control. All of that effort has kept prices down but has also reduced the some of the surplus that is available for donation," says Michael Mudd of Kraft Foods

Food manufacturers are also producing fewer nonperishable goods in response to consumer demands for prepared foods and the fact that many Americans are eating out more frequently.

The Bethlehem Center Food Bank in St. Charles, Illinois, has experienced a 23 percent drop in canned food donations over the past six months.

But rather than reduce its operation, the Bethlehem Center decided to expand by building a refrigerated room to handle fruits and vegetables.

Produce -- which most supermarkets simply throw away -- is the biggest source of wasted food and is an untapped resource for most food banks.

Kraft has donated money for similar produce projects, and other manufacturers have kept their production lines running for the sole benefit of charities.

The nation's largest food bank network, Chicago-based Second Harvest, regularly receives pasta, beans and fruit juices from such efforts.

The problem, according to hunger relief agencies, is that the growing amount of donations never seems to meet the needs of the hungry.

Correspondent Patty Davis contributed to this report.