People coming together to create hope for a dignified and abundant life for everyone.
Our Story
About Us
Founded in 1979, the Mendocino Food & Nutrition Program (the Fort Bragg Food Bank) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation. Our objective is to distribute food to those who need it most.
In 1993, we moved into our current location, a 4,800 square foot warehouse in Fort Bragg, with help from a Community Development Block Grant. We own this facility free and clear. With additional funding from Mazon, S.H. Cowell foundation and local donors, we installed walk-in refrigeration, pallet shelving, a kitchen and purchased forklifts and vehicles. We currently own three delivery trucks. In 2011, through a Community Development Block Grant, we replaced our walk-in freezer with a larger more efficient one and installed a generator to power our food distribution facility (including refrigeration) to get us through all too frequent winter power outages. We also received funding through a USDA Rural Development agency grant to maintain our facility and to add a weather-shelter over our outside produce sorting area. In 2019, the repaving of our parking lot was finished. Looking ahead to positive changes in future years.
Funding and Support
We have received funding for food, nutrition education, and/or operational expense through various government and private groups most recently including: The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), Commodities Supplemental Food Assistance Program (CSFP), Feeding America Program, Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP), Mendocino County Department of Social Services Hunger Task Force, First 5 Mendocino, The Community Foundation of Mendocino County, the J.G. Cummings Foundation, and PG&E.
Our Programs
Weekly Food Program
Once a week clients may visit the food bank to pick up food that will supplement their weekly groceries. The average client will leave with 25-30 pounds of food. So what do they leave with? Clients will choose from Dairy, Meat Protein, Vegetarian, Canned goods, Dry Goods, Fresh Produce, Bread, Beverages, and of course Dessert. To sign up as a client for our weekly program please call (707) 964-9404 or email info@fbfoodbank.org.To qualify as a client and to use the weekly food program pantry see our guideline here.
Community Farm Stand- Take what you need, give what you can.
Available to all community members. This free produce cart is available at the Fort Bragg Food Bank Monday-Friday 11:00 am- 4pm when produce is available. Many of our local farmers donate to keep this stand full of nutritious and vibrant fruits and vegetables. Thank you to our community for making this possible.
Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP)
The Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) provides a 30-40 pound box of nutritious food monthly for income-eligible seniors age 60 and older. CSFP Senior Box services are currently provided in Fort Bragg, Leggett, Laytonville, Willits, Ukiah, Anderson Valley, Point Arena, and Gualala.
How to apply:
Applications for CSFP must be filled out in person with a trained staff member. Please contact our Distribution Assistant to apply by calling (707) 964-9404 or email distribution@fbfoodbank.org
In order to complete an application, applicants will need to show:
ID that displays date of birth
We do not keep copies of this information. It only needs to be viewed.
Home Delivery
For seniors and homebound individuals we offer a delivery service. If you are a client of the Food Bank you can request a home delivery up to once a week. Clients will receive their weekly food upon request. For more information or to make a request please call (707) 964-9404 or email info@fortbraggfoodbank.org
Grab'n'Go Bags
This bag of easy-to-eat food is available at our curbside distribution or in the Choice Pantry. Designed for people who do not have cooking facilities, it contains easy-to-open items like tuna, canned chicken, granola bars, cereal, dried fruit, quick-cook noodles and soups, and electrolytes.
This program was funded with a grant from the Community Foundation of Mendocino County.
Kids Bag Program
This great program is funded by the J. G. Cummings Foundation and The Mendocino Coast Children's Fund. This program provides families on the Mendocino Coast with a weekly supplemental bag of food. Families do not have to be clients of the food bank; it is available to any family that lives on the Mendocino Coast. The kids bag has wonderful items like: Bread, peanut butter, eggs, milk, cheese, granola bars, ground beef, tortillas, chips, crackers, dried fruit, and nuts. With this supplemental bag we hope that our coastal families will always have food to fill their bellies.
A Passion For Our Cause
To provide nutritious food that supports people in creating a healthy and better life.
People coming together to create hope for a dignified, abundant life for everyone.
Each month at the Fort Bragg Food Bank we serve approximately 870 client households representing 1,600 household members. Clients may pick up food once a week. Typically we service about 2,030 client visits per month.
Our demographic mix reflects our community: approximately 75% Caucasian, 15% Hispanic, 8% Native American and 2% other. About 15% of our clients are homeless, 20% are over the age of 60 and 25% of household members are children.
In accordance with Federal law this organization does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, political beliefs or disability.
