Community Food Services NAICS 624210
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Industry Summary
The 3,962 Community food services in the US collect, prepare, and deliver food for the needy. They include food banks, meal delivery programs, and soup kitchens. Food banks collect and distribute salvageable or donated food to individuals through other social service organizations. Meal delivery programs prepare and deliver meals to persons unable to prepare meals for themselves due to age, disability or illness. Soup kitchens prepare and serve meals at fixed or mobile locations.
Demand and Donations Dependent on Economic Conditions
Demand for community food services rises when the economy is weak and unemployment rises.
Dependence on Volunteers
Community food services are highly dependent on volunteers for many staff positions and for carrying out their work.
Recent Developments
Jan 12, 2026 - Judge Blocks USDA From Cutting Off Minnesota SNAP Funding
- A district court judge has blocked the US Department of Agriculture from ceasing federal food assistance payments to Minnesota unless the state recertified all households receiving SNAP benefits. The Trump administration said in December 2025 that it will withhold SNAP funding from states led by Democrats if they don't provide recipient data, but Minnesota is the only state affected as of early January 2026. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins gave Minnesota a 30-day deadline in December 2025 to conduct in-person interviews for more than 100,000 households enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
- President Trump signed into law a continuing resolution that funds the federal government through January. Some programs, like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), could be restored within hours of the signing while restoration of others could take longer, according to the New York Times. The federal government shutdown suspended the distribution of food stamp benefits to low-income families via SNAP. Congress must enact interim or full-year funding appropriations for agencies and programs whose continued operation depends on annual appropriation acts. When Congress fails to enact interim or full-year appropriations, it may enact short-term measures known as continuing resolutions to keep the government funded for a few days, weeks, or months at previous levels until final budgeting decisions are made.
- The $3.4 trillion One Big Beautiful Bill signed into law includes $186 billion in cuts over the next decade to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Demand at community food services may increase as a result. The law will also require more Americans who receive food stamps through SNAP to work to keep their benefits. The bill would broaden the existing work mandate to enrollees ages 55 to 64 and parents of children ages 14 and older, as well as to veterans, former foster youth, and people experiencing homelessness.
- Community food service industry employment and average wages for nonsupervisory employees decreased slightly during the first eight months of 2025, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. Personal income, an indicator of demand for community food services, increased 5.06% year over year and a 0.37% month over month in August 2025, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis. Demand for community food services is likely to decrease as personal income increases.
Industry Revenue
Community Food Services
Industry Structure
Industry size & Structure
The average community food service operates one location, has 13 employees, and generates $4.6 million in annual revenue.
- There are about 3,962 community food service organizations in the US employing 51,000 workers and generating $18.2 billion in annual revenue.
- Nearly all community food services focus on the needs of a local market. However, they may belong to regional or national networks of food banks.
- The largest national food bank network is Feeding America, with over 200 members.
- In addition to dedicated community food service organizations, the US also has tens of thousands of food pantries operated by churches and other religious organizations to deliver food staples to the needy.
- An estimated 13.5% of American households were food insecure at least some time during the year in 2023, meaning they lacked access to enough food for an active, healthy life for all household members.
Industry Forecast
Industry Forecast
Community Food Services Industry Growth
Source: Vertical IQ and Inforum
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