Featured Partner: Loaves and Fishes Contra Costa

It’s no easy task distributing 22 MILLION pounds of food a year, which is why we have developed partnerships with 180 nonprofit organizations serving our community. One such agency partner is Loaves and Fishes of Contra Costa.

We have been collaborating with Loaves and Fishes since they opened up their doors in the early 1980’s. Along with our other partner agencies, they help us get the food into the hands of those who need it the most. They provide drop-in lunches Monday through Friday to anyone needing a home-cooked balanced meal. Most of the food they prepare and serve in their five community dining rooms within Contra Costa County comes from the Food Bank.

The Kitchen Manager and Chef for Loaves and Fishes, James Porter, comes to our Concord warehouse and picks up the needed food every week. He typically leaves with fresh produce, canned goods, bread and healthy grains.

For those of you who have been to our annual Empty Bowls event before, you might be surprised to find out that the delicious 15-bean soup served is actually made by Chef James. He was nice enough to write down the recipe that is normally stored in his head and we are featuring it this month.

We are proud of our 30+ year partnership with Loaves and Fishes. They continue to do amazing work that improves the lives of our community members in need.