25 Years of the Food Bank

Today, the Food Bank has grown into a multifaceted organization that provides millions of pounds of food and supplies to a network of more than 1,000 food assistance programs as well as Direct Service, Education & Nutrition, Financial Empowerment and Disaster Relief programs, and Policy & Research work. Check out the 25 key achievements of the past 25 years below to learn more about the Food Bank's history.

1983
Food Bank For New York City is founded (as Food For Survival) and provides 500,000 pounds of food to 95 food assistance programs.

1990
Staff nutritionists are hired to provide food safety and nutrition information to our network of food programs as part of the new Nutrition & Food Safety Education Program.

Our Wholesale Food Purchasing Program is started to provide food programs with a larger variety than what is received from donated food.

1991
First Annual Agency Conference is held, bringing the hunger-relief community together to strengthen the response to hunger.

Our Fresh Produce Program is founded and helps distribute 5.6 million pounds of free, fresh fruits and vegetables.

1992
Our Warehouse Repack Program is founded to help repackage food donations received in bulk containers into sizes suitable for soup kitchens and food pantries.

1993
The Award for Excellence in Food Banking is presented by Feeding America (formerly America's Second Harvest, The Nation's Food Bank Network), recognizing the Food Bank For New York City as the top food bank in the country.

1995
First Food Bank research report, Who Feeds the Hungry?, is released. A follow-up Who Feeds the Hungry? report was released in 2000.

1997
First Food Bank Kids Cafe, an after-school program for children from low-income families, is opened.

2001
As part of the Food Bank's September 11 Disaster Relief efforts, three million pounds of food are provided to rescue efforts at Ground Zero, including those of the Red Cross and Salvation Army; police precincts and restaurants preparing meals for volunteers; and our network of food assistance programs experiencing increased need.

A 24-hour, toll-free phone line (1.866.NYC.FOOD) is established to assist people trying to locate food programs where they can volunteer, offer financial support and receive food assistance. *New Yorkers are now directed to call 311 for help locating assistance. The Food Bank also offers our online Food Program Locator.

2003
The Food Bank starts the Education Institute for Community Program Advancement, the only comprehensive education and training program in New York City geared toward staff and volunteers at food assistance programs.

The Food Bank releases Attitudes Towards Hunger in New York City: How New Yorkers View Hunger, the Food Bank's first, annual public-opinion poll to track trends in New York City residents' ability to afford needed food and their perceptions about hunger. Subsequent reports include NYC Hunger View 2004 and 2005 and NYC Hunger Experience 2005, 2006 and 2008.

The Food Bank initiates a program to connect volunteers with food assistance programs throughout the five boroughs, a large majority of which rely on volunteers to operate.

2004
Feeding America (formerly America's Second Harvest, The Nation's Food Bank Network) presents the Food Bank with a Hunger's Hope Award for Member of the Year in recognition of excellence and leadership toward creating a hunger-free America.

The Food Bank launches NYC Hunger Safety Net initiative to release research reports designed to track trends in hunger and inform research-based solutions to hunger and poverty throughout New York City every three years. Reports in the series include NYC Hunger Safety Net 2004 and 2007.

New Food Sourcing Division is established to facilitate food procurement and outreach.

The Food Bank increases its focus on local food donors and cements a new partnership with the Fulton Fish Market.

The Food Bank initiates its first-ever retail pickup program with Pathmark stores to form the Meat Gleaning Program.

Food Bank formalizes an emergency preparedness partnership with the American Red Cross in Greater New York in an effort to be prepared to respond to a wide range of disasters, from summer blackouts to winter storms to terrorist acts.

2005
Food Bank holds the NYC Hunger Summit 2005, the first-ever policy summit focused on hunger for the citywide network of food assistance programs.

2006
The Anti-Hunger Policy Platform for New York State and City 2007–2012, developed during a series of 2006 meetings held by a collective of city and state anti-hunger organizations, including the Food Bank, is released.

2007
FoodChange, Inc. becomes a subsidiary of the Food Bank in July 2007. The transaction enables us to work more effectively to meet the needs of the approximately 1.3 million New Yorkers who rely on emergency food and to advance our mutual mission to end hunger.

Charity Navigator — the nation's largest independent charity evaluator — gives the Food Bank its top four-star rating for excellence and efficiency in the successful management of organizational finances for the third, consecutive year.

Feeding America (formerly America's Second Harvest, The Nation's Food Bank Network) presents the Food Bank with their third, consecutive Mighty Apple Award for most fresh produce collected and distributed.

2008
The Food Bank marks its 25th Anniversary working to end hunger throughout the five boroughs. Sign up to receive news and updates on hunger relief in our city and how the Food Bank can use your help!

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