Our Programs

The Chester County Food Bank provides unique programs that help distribute food and provide support to our network of 28 Food Cupboards and 60 other non-profits. Since 2009, we have greatly expanded access to fresh and nutritious food for needy Chester County Residents. We have also heightened awareness of food insecurity issues in our community.

Here is a brief overview of our current programs:

Harvesting – We “glean” at local farms; planting and tending to crops with the help of  thousands of volunteers. In 2011 we provided over 200,000 pounds of locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables to our food providers and their clients.

Raised Garden Beds – This program pairs up volunteers (individuals and groups) with soil, seeds and a 28 week growing season. Currently we have 290 garden beds at 67 sites throughout Chester County that grow fresh produce for our food providers.

Senior Box Program – Monthly we provide a box of food to senior citizens eligible for food support through a government program called CSFP. Volunteers help pack the boxes that are delivered to local agencies and senior centers.

Food Backpack Program – Every Friday during the school year, we supply healthy, non-perishable food to 1000 children of low-income families. Our warehouse volunteers help pack and sort these backpacks which are delivered to 11 elementary schools in the county.

Dairy Program – Working with  Chester County dairy farms, we offer free milk, eggs and cheese to 50,000 people locally through our food cupboards.

After School Programs – Networking with local educators, we provide nutritious snacks, fresh produce and summer meals to over 880 children in Chester County.

Latino Outreach – We bring bi-lingual support and farm fresh food to agencies that serve the Latino community throughout the county.

Prepared Foods – We process about 40,000 pounds of locally grown food in our commercial kitchen for distribution to our food partners.