History & Mission

The Regional Food Bank is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that collects donated food from the food industry and distributes it to more than 1,000 partner agencies and programs feeding our neighbors in need throughout 23 counties of northeastern New York. The food provided by the Regional Food Bank helps to feed over 350,000 people each month. In 2023, the Food Bank distributed more than 48 million pounds of food (enough for 40 million meals) to our neighbors in need. The Regional Food Bank is a member of Feeding America, the national network of food banks.

History

The Regional Food Bank was created by a group of food pantry coordinators and anti-hunger advocates in June 1982. The Food Bank operated for seven years in a commercial storage warehouse, and in 1989 moved into a newly constructed 21,000 square-foot warehouse. The Food Bank outgrew this facility in less than four years and moved its operation to a modern 42,000 square-foot warehouse in 1993. In 2017, the Food Bank completed a major renovation project to significantly expand its warehouse storage space in an effort to meet the ever-growing requests for food assistance. The Food Bank now has a 70,000 square-foot building to accommodate donations.

In 1990, the Regional Food Bank opened a branch facility in the lower Hudson Valley to increase donations from food companies and improve services to agencies in this region. This location is housed in a 20,000 square-foot warehouse in Cornwall-on-Hudson in Orange County.

The Food Bank’s service area encompasses 41% of the landmass of New York State.

Mission & Vision

The mission of the Regional Food Bank is to lead a network of partners to alleviate hunger, prevent food waste, and nourish the communities we serve. Our vision is that all people have the nutritious food they need to thrive.

The Regional Food Bank is a non-profit organization, and all donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law.