Foodbank Programs & Services

Sources of Product

 
  • Food Industry Donations (53% of all product received in 2008) include Local Product Donations, Fresh Produce Donations, Feeding America Donations, Salvage from Retailers, Extra Helpings Donations, Other Food Banks and Food Drives
  • USDA Commodities (39% of all product received) for the Emergency Food Assistance Program (EFAP) and the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP)
  • Purchased Food Food (8% of all product received) includes Shop Smart & Save, FEMA/Emergency Food & Shelter Program, Kids PowerPack, BackPack and Summer Meals, and Purchases for Other Programs.
 
Distribution of Product and Foodbank Programs
 

FAMILY/HOUSEHOLD DISTRIBUTION & MEAL PROGRAMS
 

General Distribution of Product to Agencies (32% of all product distributed in 2008) The general distribution of donated food and product and SSS and FEMA food to charitable agency sites located throughout Los Angeles County. In 2005, the Foodbank launched the Agency Delivery Program to provide better access for agencies located in the Antelope Valley, the San Fernando Valley, the South Bay and East Los Angeles County.
 

  • Total number of Agency Sites: 900

  • Number of unduplicated people served annually by food pantries and soup kitchens: 700,000 people

Emergency Food Assistance Program (EFAP) Household Distribution (32%)
This program provides agencies with United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) commodities. Food pantries and other distribution sites provide grocery bags of food to low-income families and individuals based on income guidelines. Soup kitchens and other hot meal programs open to the public are also eligible to receive USDA commodities through EFAP.
 

Fresh Produce Programs including Rapid Food Distribution (20%)
The Rapid Food Distribution program provides a “just-in-time” delivery of fresh produce and other perishable foods to agencies before their distribution. Given that many agencies have very limited refrigeration, recipients at these agency sites are able access fresh produce and other items that they typically would not receive. Fresh fruits and vegetables are also picked up by agencies at the Foodbank’s distribution center.
 

Extra Helpings (4%)

This program helps Foodbank agencies obtain prepared, perishable food and other product primarily for meal programs. The Foodbank’s staff pairs restaurants, hotels, caterers and other donors who have extra food or product with nearby agencies who collect the food and use it to feed their clients. For information on how to donate food through this program, please contact the Foodbank's Product Donations Department.

 

 

SENIOR NUTRITION PROGRAMS

Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) (6%)

The CSFP program is targeted for seniors 60 years and older, pregnant women, mothers postpartum for up to one year and children ages one to six. Each client must meet age and/or income qualifications required by the USDA. Qualified clients will receive one of six age-prescribed food kits on a monthly basis.  More than 7,200 people, primarily seniors, are served at CSFP distribution sites throughout LA County

 

Brown Bag Program (3%)

The Brown Bag Program is administered by senior volunteers, many of whom are also food recipients. Senior volunteers pick up food from the Foodbank and take it to participating Brown Bag sites. At the sites, the volunteers repackage the food in grocery bags, register participants and distribute the food to low-income seniors. Shut-in and handicapped seniors have food delivered to their homes.

This program is a unique solution for alleviating hunger among the elderly. Each week, the Foodbank sets aside nutritious items from its inventory.  Volunteers, many are seniors themselves, arrive early every Friday morning to pick up the food and take it to 20 Brown Bag sites where they pack the food in grocery bags for distribution to low-income seniors; the disabled and infirm receive their bags at home. 

 

KIDS NUTRITION PROGRAMS

Kids Cafe™ “Power Pack” Snack Program and Summer Food Service Program (1%)

This program addresses the needs for proper nutrition and quality day and after school care in low-income communities. Healthy meals and snacks are served to needy children in a safe, nurturing environment. Children in Kids Cafe™ often receive tutoring assistance, participate in sports, and benefit from mentoring. Through our Kids Café sites, the Foodbank provides Power Packs, a nutritious snack box for children. For sites that can accommodate serving a noontime meal during the summer, funding through the Summer Food Service Program provides the resources for the Foodbank to deliver a nutritious lunch to Kids Café sites.

BackPack Program (less than 1%)

A program based on successful models developed at other food banks, the BackPack Program is provides hungry children at schools with a backpack full of food on a Friday to provide nutrition during the weekend.

 

 



 
Other Funds that Support Agencies and Programs
 

Children and Youth Fund

Our Children and Youth program provides food grants to charities that primarily serve children and youth. With these grants, charities receive food from the Foodbank at no cost. These food grants enable charities to stretch their resources and provide essential counseling services, training programs, and other services for needy youth.This program provides food grants to agencies that primarily serve infants and children: child care centers, after school programs, community centers, Boys and Girls Clubs, youth shelters, battered women’s shelters, and homes for runaway youth.  These food grants enable agencies to stretch resources and provide more food, essential counseling services, training programs, and other programs for needy youth.

Emergency Food Fund

In order to supplement our donated food inventory, financial donations made to our Emergency Food Fund (EFF) allow the Foodbank to purchase high-demand, nutritious food items and pay for the distribution of these food items. Virtual food drives, an on-line alternative to traditional food drives, are an efficient way for a donor to make a financial contribution to purchase food and leverage the Foodbank’s purchasing power.

 

Food For Families

Similar to our Children and Youth program, Food For Families provides food grants to agencies that primarily serve families with children. Donated funds are credited to agencies’ Foodbank accounts, allowing agencies to receive food from the Foodbank at no cost. These food grants enable agencies to stretch resources and provide more food and essential services for needy families.

 

Food Distribution Fund

In 2008, our Food Distribution Fund helped provide the resources to distribute 24 million pounds of food at no cost to Foodbank agencies. Donations to the fund offset expenses for processing, storing and distributing donated food. 

Disaster Relief Fund
Funds designated for this fund are utilized to offset the costs of collection, storage and distribution of product in the event of a disaster.

 
 
Other Foodbank Programs/Activities
 

Public Policy and Advocacy

As a leader in the fight against hunger, the Foodbank advocates on the federal, state and local level for policies that increase the resources available for people facing hunger. 

 

Hunger Education


In order to educate the public of the extent of hunger and its consequences, the Foodbank publishes hunger reports and policy briefs and collaborates with other organizations such as the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research to publish hunger reports.    

 

 

Food Stamp Outreach 


The Foodbank launched a Food Stamp Outreach and Research Project in 2001 by utilizing a USDA demonstration grant and has continued this work by conducting outreach efforts at agencies served by the Foodbank.

 

 

Nutrition Education
 

With the growing problem of obesity and other health problems related to the diet of many Americans, the Foodbank conducts nutrition education workshops for food recipients and for agency representatives providing the service.