How We Work

Foodlink is the Feeding America regional food bank, which rescues and redistributes 10 million pounds of food annually to a network of 450 member agencies in a 10-county area in Central and Western New York. Foodlink’s vision is to end hunger, build self-sufficiency, and foster nutritional wellness. We pursue this vision through an innovative collection of initiatives including our regional food bank, Freshwise Catering, Freshwise Farms, and the Fulfillment Center.

The Foodlink Food Bank works with area food retailers, manufacturers and wholesalers to acquire, sort, store and redistribute food to our member charity programs – especially soup kitchens, shelters and emergency food pantries. In addition, Foodlink provides food to hundreds of non-emergency programs such as group homes, day cares, senior centers and camps. Our goal is to help non-profits agencies save vital dollars on their food budget so their scarce resources can be redirected to their programs to meet the emotional, physical and spiritual needs of clients.

Foodlink’s family of enterprises, including Freshwise Catering, Freshwise Farms and the Farmers Fulfillment Center, utilize the large infrastructure of the food bank to help foster community health and wellness. Freshwise Catering prepares nutritious meals for kids in after-school and summer meals programs. Freshwise Catering is also available for hire for corporate and special events using 100% purchased food with a fresh focus and proceeds benefiting the food bank operation. Freshwise Farms grows pesticide-free greens and vegetables for sale to the public with proceeds benefiting the food bank. The Farmers Fulfillment Center provides the missing connection between local farmers and food purchasers. Foodlink trucks previously returning empty from delivering food to member programs in our 10-county service area now pick up locally grown produce to be sold in upstate markets and beyond. The Fulfillment Center provides economic support for our local farmers while making healthy food more available to the community as a whole.