Our Mission
Who We Serve
Each month, the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano distributes enough emergency and supplemental food to provide 2.7 million meals. Many of our neighbors are unable to make ends meet and the Food Bank helps them cover one of life’s basic needs — nutritious food. We strive to serve all people experiencing hunger or food insecurity in Solano and Contra Costa counties and commit to never turn anyone away.
Through our partnership with Feeding America, a nonprofit network of 200 food banks and the nation’s largest domestic hunger-relief organization, we lend support to hunger-fighting organizations in 16 Northern California counties.
Where do we get the food?
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.
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).
Wholesale Food Purchasing
With special deals, industry partnerships and bulk buying power, we’re able to provide two meals for $1.
Feeding America
We are a proud member of Feeding America’s national network of food banks.
Grocery Recovery
In partnership with Feeding America, we arrange for our partner agencies to conduct grocery recovery pickups from more than 130 retailers like Costco, Target and Safeway — which feeds our neighbors in need and saves perfectly edible food from being discarded.
How We Serve
We distribute food into the community by operating our own free food programs each week within Contra Costa and Solano counties and by partnering with 260 local nonprofit agencies to support their hunger-fighting efforts.
The work volunteers put in annually is equivalent to 50 full-time employees; they are the heart of our organization and we couldn’t do it without them.
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.
Our Story
Past
In 1975, at a time when the term “food bank” was just coming into existence, 15 local food pantries and agencies incorporated into what is now known as the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano. The early food coalition had two staff members working out of a cubicle in the Social Services office distributing food using a borrowed Safeway trailer and a chest freezer.
Present
Fast forward over four 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.
We’ve grown to become second responders during times of crisis caused by economic downturns, government shutdowns, earthquakes, fires and COVID-19.
Future
We can’t end hunger without addressing its root causes, which is why we are continuing our commitment to actively advocate for lasting change and equitable access to food.
Research proves that food insecurity is linked to poor overall health. We are focused on not just providing more food, but better, more nutritious food that will result in healthier residents and a stronger community.
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.
