What is MCI?

Mountain Community Insights (MCI) is a free, digital intake platform offered through Feeding America and supported by the MCI team at MANNA. MCI gives agencies the ability to complete one digital intake for neighbors, which can be used for every future visit. Once someone is in the system, they can be checked back in at any pantry using MCI.

The platform includes additional questions, for example – on demographics, visit frequency, and travel distance. However, there are still multiple ways for neighbors to retain anonymity (see What data is required from neighbors?). Answering these questions is always optional, and choosing not to share information will never affect the services a neighbor receives.

MCI gives partner agencies instant access to meaningful information about their pantry services. For example, agencies can quickly see the unduplicated number of individuals and households served during a distribution. Ultimately, this data can be used by MANNA and the partner network to improve services for neighbors, and to build more effective hunger relief across WNC.

Why is MCI important?

•  Accurate, timely, and local data: With food insecurity on the rise across our region, data is essential for forecasting need, targeting resources, and delivering more effective hunger relief throughout WNC. MCI allows MANNA and the partner network to see:

o   The unduplicated number of individuals and households being served

o   Information about household size, age, frequency of service, and distance traveled to a pantry

o   Where demand is growing, broken out by county, age group, or household type

•  Neighbor advocacy: These hard numbers strengthen our ability to advocate for our neighbors. Data allows us to demonstrate exactly how many people are being served, where gaps exist, and what resources are required to meet the rising need.  Tools like MCI ensure that WNC continues to have the evidence necessary to speak boldly and accurately on behalf of our communities.  

•  Loss of critical data sources: The USDA’s long-standing Household Food Security Report (published annually since 1997) has been discontinued. This information has traditionally been used to understand hunger on a local level. The data from MCI will now be one of few reliable sources of information we have to tell the story of food insecurity in our region.

MCI 2026-27 Onboarding

What is the timeline? 

All public-facing partner agencies (Transformers, Builders and Responders) will be onboarded and using the platform by June 30, 2027. This includes training, onboarding, and launching the program with dedicated support from our MCI team.  

Which agencies will be required?

Required Partners: All public-facing partner agencies (Transformers, Builders and Responders).

Not Required Partners: Private agencies (Foundational) and Meal-site–only partners. If an agency operates both a meal site and a pantry, only the pantry is required to participate.

What will the onboarding process look like?

January 2026: The MCI team will host a series of “MCI 101” sessions in January to go through the platform and answer agency questions regarding the transition to MCI. Agencies should plan to attend at least 1 session. At the end, you will receive a survey to help us understand your preferred mode of training (in-person vs. virtual), preferred device type (tablet, laptop, etc.), and the number of staff and volunteers that need to be trained. Session dates are listed below. If you’re unable to attend one of these sessions, let us know at mci@mannafoodbank.org. 

• Virtual Option 1: Tuesday, January 13th from 10-11am | Zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84038191172 

• Virtual Option 2: Thursday, January 22nd from 1-2 pm | Zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83229071969  

• Virtual Option 3: Monday, January 26th from 1-2pm | Zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81173345907 

• In Person Option: Wednesday January 28th at the East Asheville Library from 2pm-3pm

February-March 2026 - Engagement: The MCI team will start engaging agencies to schedule training based on survey feedback. 

April 2026-June 2027 - Support: Continued support for partnership and onboarding from the MCI team.

July-December 2027 - Under Review: If an agency has not been able to adopt MCI by June 2027, our teams will work with you during a 6-month support period to address any barriers. 

Will intake devices be provided? 

Yes, each agency is eligible to receive up to 2 free devices (laptops or tablets depending on distribution model/needs). The MCI team is also happy to offer accessories like mice and styluses, as well as Wi-Fi solutions where needed (see What if my pantry doesn’t have wi-fi?). Devices can also be used for reporting your monthly stats, researching grants, and anything else that supports pantry operations.

Click HERE to view device and accessories options. 

What if my pantry has already started the MCI training/launch process?

If you have already completed MCI training or are scheduled for training, you will continue with the timeline discussed unless notified otherwise. If you have questions about your training/and or launch, please email us at mci@mannafoodbank.org.

My agency currently uses MCI for TEFAP distributions only. Do we need to use MCI for all MANNA food distributions?

Yes, any distribution of MANNA food should be recorded using MCI. Reach out to the MCI team if you would like additional support to implement MCI for your non-TEFAP distributions.

MCI General FAQS

How can MCI support my pantry?

•  Comprehensive data dashboards that illustrate the full scope and impact of your pantry’s work.  

•  Receipt of free devices to support intake and any other tasks supporting pantry operations such as reporting, grant research, and ordering.

• Digital intake that eliminates storage/tracking of paper forms and allows neighbors to complete one profile which can then be used to check in at any other MANNA partner pantry.

•  Individualized support from the MCI team to fine-tune your pantry’s intake process. Whether it’s a drive-thru model, full choice, or you have additional services that affect intake - we have devices and best practices to share. 

What information will neighbors be asked to share?

• Neighbors will be asked to share: Name, Zip Code, County, Number in the household, and additional demographic information.

• Certain questions in MCI are marked as “required” – meaning some information must be entered. However, several of these questions allow for neighbors to remain anonymous or offer a “Don’t Know/Prefer Not to Answer” option. Answering questions in MCI is always optional, and choosing not to share information will never affect the services a neighbor receives. Note: some questions MUST be answered to receive TEFAP food, just as they are required when using the paper form.

Will other agencies be able to see when a neighbor visits my pantry?

No, agencies can only view a neighbor’s visit history for their pantry. 

What if my pantry doesn’t have wi-fi?

Pantries without wi-fi are eligible to receive a free hotspot, and up to 2 years of data to support intake. After that time, the cost of data will be transitioned to the pantry. Please reach out to your ARM if you need support in identifying funding for long-term wi-fi access. 

What if the internet goes out?

The MCI platform supports back-dating entries. Pantries will be provided with paper forms which mirror the questions asked by MCI and can be used to enter information at a later time when internet returns. Note: These forms can also be useful if your MCI trained volunteers are absent, or it is a particularly busy distribution. You can access the forms on the home page of the MCI website. 

How will neighbor data be protected?

MCI is a platform administered by Feeding America. Data collected via the MCI program is protected via secure cloud computing software, which is subject to continuous monitoring and vulnerability assessment. 

Does this change how we will report our monthly stats?

•  At this time, agencies will continue to report their monthly stats into P2 each month before placing an order. MCI offers an easy-to-use dashboard where you will be able to pull this information quickly.

• The MCI team is looking at ways to directly pull MCI data into P2. The team will keep agencies updated and communicate any changes to reporting. 

What if my agency is not using MCI by June 2027?

• If your agency hasn't been able to onboard by June 2027, we'll work together during a 6-month support period to address any barriers. Our goal is to help every partner succeed with this transition. We recognize that ending a partnership would be a last resort, and we're committed to providing the resources needed to prevent that outcome.