Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is Foodlink?
A. Foodlink is the regional Feeding America not-for-profit food bank that provides food resources to a network of programs to end hunger in our community. Foodlink’s initiatives include Freshwise, Freshwise Farms and a Farmers Fulfillment Center.
Q. How do you distribute food?
A. Foodlink distributes donated and purchased food through its network of 450 qualified agencies throughout a 10-county service area in Upstate, Central and Western New York. The agencies, such as soup kitchens, shelters and food pantries, then distribute the food to hungry men, women and children in their neighborhoods.
Foodlink also provides food to other human service agencies including senior centers, day cares, group homes and camps.
Foodlink provides fresh and nutritious after-school meals to 3,000 children each day through its Freshwise Catering initiative.
Q. What types of food do you distribute?
A. Last year, Foodlink distributed over 12 million pounds of nonperishable food and fresh produce, dairy products and meat, the equivalent of more than 5,000,000 meals.
Q. Where do you get the food?
A. Foodlink receives food from the manufacturers, retailers, restaurants, food drives, the federal government, wholesalers, and the national organization Feeding America. Food is also purchased to ensure there is a consistent supply of much-needed products for complete meals.
If you are a food manufacturer or retailer and want to donate food, click here for details.
Q. How many pounds of food are donated annually?
A. Last year, Foodlink received over 14 million pounds of food. In addition to retailers, manufacturers, and farmers, more than 100 food drive sponsors donated more than 75,000 pounds of food. Food drives are held in churches, schools, office buildings and public facilities, just to name a few.
Q. Who do you serve?
A. About 150,000 different men, women and children receive food from Foodlink's network of emergency food providers each year. That's over 10 percent of the population in Foodlink's service area. 36 percent of the people we serve are children, and 5 percent are seniors. About 26 percent of the households we serve include one working adult. An estimated 23 percent of the people we serve have had to choose between paying for food and paying for medicine or medical care.
Q. Do your programs extend beyond food provision?
A. You can’t end hunger simply by feeding it. Innovative programs and initiatives developed by Foodlink also work to break the cycles of poverty and build a healthy community. Foodlink’s Freshwise provides nutritious meals to 3,000 children at 50 Kids Cafe sites throughout the school year. During the summer months, Freshwise provides 40,000 summer meals. Freshwise Farms grows pesticide-free greens for sale through area retailers with proceeds benefiting the food bank anti-hunger programs. The Fulfillment Center provides the missing link for small area farmers to bring their products to market. Foodlink’s Gifts In Kind program provides area non-profits with access to much needed supplies equipment, and furniture to reduce operating costs.
Learn more about Foodlink’s family of enterprises, programs and services.
Q. How can I get food or become a member agency?
A. Anyone in need of food can locate a food pantry in their neighborhood by:
- In Monroe, Wayne, Livingston, Ontario, and Seneca Counties please contact 2-1-1/LIFE LINE at 2-1-1 or 1-877-FLNY2-1-1 (1-877-356-9211). You may also search their online database at http://www.211fingerlakes.org
- In Genesee, Orleans, and Wyoming Counties please contact Regional Action Phone, Inc. (RAP) at 1-800-359-5727 (Genesee County), 1-800-889-1903 (Orleans County), or 1-800-786-3300 (Wyoming County).
- In Allegany and Yates Counties please contact 2-1-1 Helpline at 2-1-1 or 1-800-346-2211. You may also search their online database at http://www.211helpline.org/
To become a member agency of Foodlink, please contact the Agency Services Department at (585) 328-3380 x148 to request information and an application packet. Additional information on membership can be found here.
Q. How do I hold a food drive?
A. Holding a food drive is a great way to get involved in helping hungry people in your community. To help you promote your food drive we will provide informational flyers and collection ideas.
Go to food drives for more information or to register your food drive with Foodlink.
Do you have a question that is not answered on this Web site? Please contact us by phone at (585) 328-3380 or email info@foodlinkny.org.
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