What We Do
The Blue Ridge Area Food Bank secures food from local and national sources, makes sure it is safe, and then distributes the food to hundreds of partner agencies throughout the communities we serve.
Thanks to our affiliation with Feeding America, we capture donations from large corporations—national supermarket chains and food manufacturers—as well as the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Locally, we are supported by grocery stores. Much of this food is in good condition, but cannot be sold. If not for the Food Bank, it would be pulled from shelves and thrown away. Increasingly, we are securing more fresh produce, meat, dairy and other perishable goods through farmers, gleaning organizations and other local and national growers. Community food drives provide four percent of our food supply as well.
Finally, monetary donations through community fundraisers, campaigns and grants enable us to buy food that is in short supply and not available through donations.
Our Food
For the well-being of our clients, at least 80 percent of the food we distribute is nutritious. While the majority of our stock is nonperishable – canned, bottled and boxed goods – we are continuously increasing our distribution of perishable goods, in particular, fresh produce.
We distributed 3.2 million pounds of produce last year, including potatoes, sweet potatoes, carrots, cabbage, onions, squash, watermelon, cucumbers, tomatoes and apples to name a few. Our produce comes from several major sources:
– Feeding America
– The Volunteer Farm of Woodstock, VA
– The Society of St. Andrew of Big Island, VA
– Gleaning Networks
– Local Farmers