About the Food To Nonprofits Program

The Food To Nonprofits Program provides food and non-food items to hundreds of San Diego County nonprofit organizations that operate hunger relief programs.

The Food Bank’s nonprofit partners include food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, low-income daycare centers, senior centers, substance abuse rehabilitation programs and disability programs within San Diego County.

How the program works

Nonprofits visit the Food Bank’s 72,000 square foot warehouse in Miramar and collect food from the Food Bank’s Nonprofit Food Center. They return to their facilities where the food is either cooked and distributed on-site (e.g. shelter/soup kitchen) or bagged and distributed to individuals and families to take home (e.g. food pantry).

Food To Nonprofits Program membership criteria

To become a member of the San Diego Food Bank’s Food To Nonprofits Program a nonprofit must meet the following criteria:

1. A partner must be incorporated for the purpose of serving the ill, needy and/or infants. Use of the food must be related to the partner’s charitable purpose. More than 50 percent of the nonprofit’s clients must be classified as low-income. The nonprofit’s food program must not be limited to only seasonal/ holiday food distributions.
   
2. A partner must be a nonprofit organization, qualifying under section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code or a qualified church. Qualified churches must fill out a Church Qualifier Form.
   
3. The partner must serve all individuals regardless of race, sex, color, age, religion, national origin, ancestry, disability, sexual orientation, political affiliation or veteran’s status.
   
4. The partner must not require any individual to attend a religious or political meeting, nor may the individual be required to make a statement of faith or pledge membership to any religious or political organization as a requirement for receiving food.
   
5. The partner must not charge for food, be reimbursed, compensated or require services in exchange for food, nor may it use the San Diego Food Bank’s products for fundraising activities.
   
6. The partner must not be an entity of a municipality. For example schools, hospitals, prisons and jails do not qualify.
   
7. The nonprofit’s food program must have been in operation for at least three months before applying to become a member of the Food To Nonprofits Program. The nonprofit must also have adequate capacity to safely store the quantities and types of food that will be received.
   
8. If applicable, the partner must meet state and local health licensing requirements.

How to apply

Download the New Agency Inquiry Form below to provide preliminary program information. When completed, this form should be sent to the San Diego Food Bank's Nonprofit Relations Team for review. If it seems that your food program fits the mission of the Food Bank, you will be sent an application.

Food To Nonprofits New Agency Inquiry Form

After the Food Bank has received your complete application packet, we will make an appointment to visit your agency. The purpose of the site visit is to confirm the program information you have provided, inspect the food storage/food prep areas, and explain our ordering procedures. Pending a successful site visit, your account will be set up, and you will be expected to attend our agency orientation.

Food To Nonprofits Program Application & Agreement Form

For questions about the Food To Nonprofits Program, please contact Lisa Martinusen or Jeremy Davidson toll free at 866-350-FOOD (3663) or by email at lmartinusen@sandiegofoodbank.org or jdavidson@sandiegofoodbank.org.