Our Mission

Leading the fight to end hunger, in partnership with our community and in service of our neighbors in need.

How Does the Food Bank Work?

We bring food to the places people live and work in our community, so they don’t have to come to the Food Bank.

We operate free food programs at various community sites every day of the week within Contra Costa and Solano Counties, and partner with more than 245 local nonprofit agencies to support their hunger-fighting efforts.

Funds and Food Donated

Food and funds are donated by community members, local businesses, and foundations.

Food PUrchased

The Food Bank buys nutritious food in bulk. Every $1 donated buys enough food for two meals.

Food Distributed

We distribute food daily at community sites 7 days a week, as well as to 245+ partner agencies.

Standing together against hunger

As a member of Feeding America, a nonprofit network of 200+ food banks and the nation’s largest domestic hunger-relief organization, we serve as a West Coast Disaster Hub and lend ongoing support to hunger-fighting organizations in 16 Northern California counties.

Where do we get the food?

Wholesale Food Purchasing

With special deals, industry partnerships, and bulk buying power, we’re able to provide two meals for $1 donated. Plus, for every dollar donated, 97¢ goes directly to food programs!

Donated Food

The Food Bank receives perishable and nonperishable food from manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers, brokers, food drives, farmers and individuals. Regular donations of fresh, local, and seasonal fruits and vegetables are provided by the produce industry in partnership with the California Association of Food Banks.

Grocery Recovery

The Food Bank and our 245 agency partners work with a network of local grocery stores, food producers, and growers to rescue food that is safe to eat, but cannot be sold. This rescue network keeps edible food out of landfills and provides our neighbors with a greater variety of items to feed their families.

Government-Funded Programs

The Food Bank receives 100% American-grown USDA food and funds through The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) and The Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP).

Our Impact

We are focused on nourishing our neighbors today and advocating for a hunger-free tomorrow.

Distribute

2,700,000+ meals monthly

serve

79,000 households every month

Nourish

66% is produce, protein, and dairy

partner with

245+ local nonprofits

rescue and distribute

9,000,000+ lbs of edible food annually

depend on

5,600+ volunteers each year

of every $1 given

97¢ goes directly to programs

every $1 provides

food for 2 meals

Our Story

Larry Sly, fourth from the left, served as the Food Bank's Executive Director for over four decades.

In 1975 a group of people recognized that at a time when local families had a critical need for food, items like day-old bread at grocery stores would often go to waste. This group started what is now the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano.

Fast forward five decades and the Food Bank now provides more food in one day than we did that entire inaugural year.

We operate out of two warehouses located in Concord and Fairfield, California totaling 144,000 square feet.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Vision Statement

The Food Bank is committed to continuously fostering a culture of inclusion among our employees, volunteers, and community that promotes diverse perspectives, lived experiences, and equitable access and opportunities essential to achieving our mission of leading the fight to end hunger.

The Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano is a registered 501(c)(3), which means that we are not a religious or political organization. Our Federal Tax ID is 94-2418054.

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