Overview

The 3,300 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.

Focus on Healthier Foods

Foods distributed by food banks traditionally consisted of non-perishable canned goods and “high calories to cost” items, such as potatoes.