Feeding America

In the mid-1960s, during rehabilitation in Phoenix, Arizona, after a paralyzing injury, John van Hengel began volunteering at a local soup kitchen. He solicited food donations and ended up with far more food than the kitchen could use. Around this time, one of the clients told him that she regularly fed her children with discarded items from a grocery store garbage dumpster. She told him that the food quality was fine, but that there should be a place where unwanted food could be deposited and later withdrawn by people who needed it, like a bank.

Van Hengel began to actively solicit unwanted food from grocery stores, local gardens, and nearby citrus groves. His effort led to the creation of St. Mary's Food Bank in Phoenix, the nation's first food bank.{{Cite web |date=October 9, 2005 |title=Transitions |url=http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20051009/news_mz1j9passing.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081003114530/http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20051009/news_mz1j9passing.html |archive-date=October 3, 2008 |access-date=July 21, 2008}}

In 1975, St. Mary's was awarded a federal grant to assist in developing food banks across the nation. This effort was formally incorporated into a separate non-profit organization in 1976.{{Cite news |last=Sullivan |first=Patricia |date=October 8, 2005 |title=John van Hengel Dies at 83; Founded 1st Food Bank in 1967 |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/10/07/AR2005100701911_2.html |url-status=dead |access-date=July 21, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121106045710/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/10/07/AR2005100701911_2.html |archive-date=November 6, 2012}}

In 2001, America's Second Harvest merged with Foodchain,{{Cite book |last1=O'Connor |first1=Alice |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=40Zv8DC4g38C&pg=PA323 |title=Poverty in the United States: an encyclopedia of history, politics, and policy |last2=Mink, Gwendolyn |publisher=ABC-CLIO |year=2004 |isbn=1-57607-597-4 |location=Santa Barbara, Calif |page=389}} which was the nation's largest food-rescue organization at that time.

In 2005, Feeding America began using an internal market with a synthetic currency called "shares" to more rationally allocate food. Currency is allocated based on the need, and then individual banks bid on which foods they want the most, based on local knowledge and ability to transport and store the food offered.{{Cite news |last=Mullainathan |first=Sendhil |date=October 7, 2016 |title=Sending Potatoes to Idaho? How the Free Market Can Fight Poverty |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/09/upshot/sending-potatoes-to-idaho-how-the-free-market-helps-food-banks.html}} Negative prices are possible, so banks could earn shares by picking up undesirable food. The previous centrally planned system had penalized banks for refusing any food offered, even if it was the wrong type to meet their needs, and this resulted in misallocations ("sending potatoes to Idaho"), food rotted away in places that did not need it, and the wrong types of food being delivered (e.g. not matching hot dogs with hot dog buns).{{Cite web |date=November 3, 2015 |title=Free Market Food Banks |url=https://marginalrevolution.com/marginalrevolution/2015/11/free-market-food-banks.html |website=Marginal REVOLUTION}}

In May 2007, it was featured on American Idol, named as a charity in the Idol Gives Back charity program.{{Cite news |date=April 26, 2007 |title='Idol' Charity Donations Top $60M |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/26/AR2007042601994_pf.html |url-status=dead |access-date=July 21, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121106045716/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/26/AR2007042601994_pf.html |archive-date=November 6, 2012}}

In September 2008, the organization name was changed from America's Second Harvest to Feeding America.{{Cite news |title=America's Second Harvest Changes Name to Feeding America |work=Philanthropy News Digest (PND) |url=http://philanthropynewsdigest.org/news/america-s-second-harvest-changes-name-to-feeding-america |access-date=August 4, 2017}}

In August 2009, Columbia Records announced that all U.S. royalties from Bob Dylan's album Christmas in the Heart would be donated to Feeding America, in perpetuity.Dobuzinskis, Alex (August 26, 2009). "[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-dylan/bob-dylans-christmas-album-to-benefit-charity-idUSTRE57P4NG20090826 Bob Dylan's Christmas album to benefit charity]". Reuters. Retrieved April 16, 2020.

There has been a rise in people suffering from hunger after the 2008 financial crisis and the Great Recession. In 2013, the USDA reported that about 49 million U.S. Americans faced poor nutrition, about one in six of the population.{{Cite web |last=Coleman-Jensen |first=Alicia |date=September 2014 |title=Household Food Security in the United States in 2013 |url=http://www.ers.usda.gov/media/1565415/err173.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160517232254/http://www.ers.usda.gov/media/1565415/err173.pdf |archive-date=May 17, 2016 |access-date=August 27, 2016 |website=United States Department of Agriculture}} In September, they launched Hunger Action Month, with events planned all over the nation, to raise awareness and get more U.S. Americans involved in helping out.[http://www.beloitdailynews.com/news/anti-hunger-efforts-under-way-in-area/article_6fb288aa-f833-11e1-bd3f-0019bb2963f4.html Anti-hunger efforts under way in area ] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20130121005414/http://www.beloitdailynews.com/news/anti-hunger-efforts-under-way-in-area/article_6fb288aa-f833-11e1-bd3f-0019bb2963f4.html |date=January 21, 2013 }} Beloit daily news. September 6, 2012[http://amarillo.com/lifestyle/features/2012-09-07/food-banks-spotlight-hunger-awareness Food banks spotlight hunger awareness] Amarillo globe news. September 7, 2012{{Cite web |last=Ferreras |first=Alex |date=July 11, 2012 |title=Thousands More in Solano, Napa Counties are Turning to Food Banks |url=http://www.loansafe.org/thousands-more-in-solano-napa-counties-are-turning-to-food-banks |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120717045016/http://www.loansafe.org/thousands-more-in-solano-napa-counties-are-turning-to-food-banks |archive-date=July 17, 2012 |access-date=September 8, 2012}}

In 2015, Feeding America saved more than 2 billion pounds (~907 thousand metric tons) of food that would have been thrown away otherwise, but could instead be distributed to hungry families.{{Cite web |title=Starbucks takes action after workers fret over wasted food |url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/starbucks-feeding-america-eliminate-food-waste-perishables/ |access-date=April 25, 2016 |website=CBS News|date=April 25, 2016 }}

In 2018, the USDA announced that food insecurity had been steadily declining since the 2009 recession ended.{{Cite web |title=USDA ERS - Key Statistics & Graphics |url=https://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/food-nutrition-assistance/food-security-in-the-us/key-statistics-graphics.aspx/ |website=ers.USDA.gov}}

In 2020, Feeding America said that there were about 11 million children suffering from hunger in the United States. Children, along with families and seniors having trouble making ends meet, were suffering the most.Feeding America. "Facts about poverty and hunger in America." Feeding America, 2020, https://foodshare.com/hunger-in-ventura-county/facts{{Dead link|date=March 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}.

The COVID-19 pandemic increased hunger levels and the number of people in need of food banks. According to Patti Habeck, the President of Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin, the number of people increased by 36% at the height of the pandemic and had not yet decreased until autumn of 2021.{{Cite web |date=2021-09-30 |title=Feeding America looks to the future as pandemic winds down while need stays elevated |url=https://www.wearegreenbay.com/feedingamerica/feeding-america-looks-to-the-future-as-pandemic-winds-down-while-need-stays-elevated/ |access-date=2021-10-02 |website=WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton |language=en-US}}

Feeding America created the MealConnect platform in 2014, which helps food donors like grocery stores, restaurants, and caterers to connect with local food banks and pantries.{{Cite web |date=2021-09-07 |title=Feeding America Launches Campaign to Promote Food Rescue for Retailers |url=https://cstoredecisions.com/2021/09/07/feeding-america-launches-campaign-to-promote-food-rescue-for-retailers/ |access-date=2021-10-02 |website=CStore Decisions |language=en-US}} The platform helps to reduce food waste and increase the efficiency of food donations. In June 2020, Feeding America expanded MealConnect's operations nationwide.{{Cite web |date=2020-06-22 |title=Feeding America Makes MealConnect Available Nationwide |url=https://foodbanknews.org/feeding-america-makes-mealconnect-available-nationwide/ |access-date=2021-10-02 |website=Food Bank News |language=en-US}}

Bob Aiken was its first CEO. Vicki Escarra was President & CEO from 2006-2012. Matt Knott was its interim-CEO in 2015. On October 1, 2015, Diana Aviv became its second CEO.{{Cite web |last=Ford |first=Sarah |date=July 1, 2015 |title=Independent Sector's Diana Aviv to Become New CEO of America's Charities Member, Feeding America |url=https://www.charities.org/news/independent-sectors-diana-aviv-become-new-ceo-americas-charities-member-feeding-america |access-date=March 20, 2020 |website=charities.org}} On October 1, 2018, Claire Babineaux-Fontenot became its CEO.{{Cite web |title=Claire Babineaux-Fontenot, Chief Executive Officer |url=https://www.feedingamerica.org/about-us/leadership/claire-babineaux-fontenot |access-date=March 20, 2020 |website=feedingamerica.org}}{{Cite web |date=September 26, 2018 |title=Feeding America Grabs New CEO From Walmart |url=https://www.thenonprofittimes.com/people/feeding-america-grabs-new-ceo-from-walmart/ |access-date=March 20, 2020 |website=thenonprofittimes.com}}

Feeding America works to educate the general public and keep them informed about hunger in America. The national office produces educational and research papers that spotlight aspects of hunger and provides information on hunger, poverty and the programs that serve vulnerable Americans. Feeding America's public policy staff works with legislators, conducting research, testifying at hearings and advocating for changes in public attitudes and laws that support Feeding America's network and those the organization serves.{{Cite web |date=December 2015 |title=Charity Report: Feeding America |url=http://www.bbb.org/charity-reviews/national/human-services/feeding-america-in-chicago-il-2331 |access-date=August 27, 2016 |publisher=BBB Wise Giving Alliance |archive-date=October 7, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141007095831/http://www.bbb.org/charity-reviews/national/human-services/feeding-america-in-chicago-il-2331 |url-status=dead }}

In 2017, Feeding America announced a plan to increase the nutritional value of food from food banks. By 2023, the group plans to offer more fruits and vegetables, and provide training so they can distribute more produce, whole grains and lean proteins.{{Cite news |last=Dewey |first=Caitlin |date=May 12, 2017 |title=Charities are realizing that poor people also deserve healthy food |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2017/05/12/charities-are-finally-realizing-that-poor-people-also-deserve-healthy-food/ |access-date=May 14, 2017}}

There are more than 200 Feeding America food banks, each of which works in its own area. A complete and current list is available at the Feeding America web site. Food banks in the network include:

• Alameda County Community Food Bank in Oakland, California
• Arkansas Foodbank Network in Little Rock, Arkansas
• Capital Area Food Bank in Washington, D.C.
• Community Action Services and Food Bank in Provo, Utah
• Connecticut Food Bank in East Haven, Connecticut
• Feeding Southwest Virginia in Salem, Virginia
• Food Bank For New York City in New York City
• Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano in Concord, California and Fairfield, California
• Food Bank of Delaware in Delaware
• Food Lifeline in Seattle, Washington
• Forgotten Harvest in Metro Detroit
• Freestore Foodbank in Cincinnati, Ohio
• Good Shepherd Food Bank in Maine
• Greater Boston Food Bank in Boston, Massachusetts
• Greater Chicago Food Depository in Chicago, Illinois
• Houston Food Bank in Houston, Texas
• Maryland Food Bank in Baltimore, Maryland
• North Texas Food Bank in Dallas, Texas
• Philabundance in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• Redwood Empire Food Bank in Northern California
• Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee in Nashville, Tennessee
• Second Harvest North Florida in Jacksonville, Florida
• Second Harvest of Silicon Valley in San Jose, California
• St. Mary's Food Bank in Phoenix, Arizona
• United Food Bank in Mesa, Arizona
• Vermont Foodbank in Barre, Vermont

Feeding America receives financial and in-kind support from a wide variety of corporations, non-profit organizations, and individual donors, including in the form of direct food donations and advocacy support. Top providers of grocery products include 7-Eleven, Amazon, Costco, CVS Health, General Mills, Kraft Heinz, Sam's Club, Target Corporation, Trader Joe's, and Walmart.{{Cite web |date=2022 |title=Food & Fund Partners |url=https://www.feedingamerica.org/about-us/partners/food-and-fund-partners |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220703182338/https://www.feedingamerica.org/about-us/partners/food-and-fund-partners |archive-date=2022-07-03 |access-date=2022-07-03 |website=Feeding America}}

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• List of food banks
• Second Harvest Toronto (Canada)

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• {{Citation |last=Reiley |first=Laura |title=U.S. faces shortage of up to 8 billion meals in next 12 months, leading food bank says |date=October 2, 2020 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2020/10/02/food-bank-shortage-feeding-america/ |work=Washingtonpost.com}}
• Canice Prendergast. 2017. "How Food Banks Use Markets to Feed the Poor." Journal of Economic Perspectives 31(4): 145–162.
• Canice Prendergast. 2022. "The Allocation of Food to Food Banks". Journal of Political Economy.

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• {{ProPublicaNonprofitExplorer|363673599}}
• [http://www.hungeractionmonth.org/ Hunger Action Month]
• [http://charityreports.bbb.org/Public/Report.aspx?CharityID=2331 BBB Wise Giving Report on America's Second Harvest] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071108014539/http://charityreports.bbb.org/Public/Report.aspx?CharityID=2331 |date=November 8, 2007 }}
• [http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=5271 Charity Navigator report]
• {{Cite web |last=Prendergast |first=Canice |date=August 13, 2015 |title=The Allocation of Food to Food Banks |url=http://conference.nber.org/confer/2015/MDf15/Prendergast.pdf}}

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Category:Food banks in the United States

Category:Organizations established in 1979

Category:Non-profit organizations based in Chicago