San Diego Food Bank - North County
The San Diego Food Bank comprises the largest hunger-relief organization in San Diego County. Last year, the Food Bank distributed 63 million pounds of food, and the Food Bank serves, on average, 400,000 people per month in San Diego County. Through our Vista location and by partnering with more than 450 nonprofits with feeding programs, the Food Bank provides nutritious food to individuals and families in need in communities throughout San Diego County.
Since assuming operations of the North County Food Bank at the request of the community in 2015, the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank has grown this facility’s operations from distributing approximately 550,000 pounds of food and supplies in that first year to more than 7.5 million pounds of food and supplies this past fiscal year. During this same time, distributions between both warehouses went from 3.4 million pounds to almost 12 million pounds of food and supplies this past year! Now, the San Diego Food Bank has fully integrated the North County Food Bank facility into our regional network of services, by unifying it under our same name.
The San Diego Food Bank's Vista warehouse houses our Client Choice Pantry, Food 4 Kids Backpack Program, Diaper Bank Program, and Period Supply Program.
You can still donate directly to our North County location to benefit individuals and families living in North County San Diego.
Client Choice Food Pantry
The pantry is set up similarly to a neighborhood grocery store. The pantry offers a variety of fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, meats, dairy products, baked goods, nonperishable canned food items, diapers for infants & toddlers, and period supplies.
Pantry clients shop by appointment only and can self-select the foods that best meet their dietary needs and preferences. Clients can stock up on enough food items to feed their families for two weeks. Clients can make appointments every two weeks.
Food 4 Kids Backpack Program
The Food 4 Kids Backpack Program, established in 2006, provides weekend food packages to chronically hungry elementary school students from low-income households who are at risk of hunger over the weekend when free school meals are unavailable.
Diaper Bank Program
The San Diego Food Bank established our Diaper Bank Program to overcome a barrier to work for parents living in poverty. The Food Bank partners with several nonprofit organizations to distribute diapers throughout San Diego County.
We are 1 of 8 original diaper banks and have distributed more than 40 million diapers since the creation of our Diaper Bank Program in 2017.
Period Supply Program
The San Diego Food Bank established our Period Supply Program to help provide a basic need for people living in poverty.
Period supplies are basic necessities, but 1 in 4 menstruating Americans went without them this year due to a lack of income, and over one-third of low-income women in the U.S. report missing work, school, or similar events due to lack of access to period supplies. Lowered attendance at work and school can lead to lower performance and fewer opportunities, reinforcing the cycle of poverty.
In need of emergency groceries? The Food Bank and our network of community partners are here to help. Use our Food Locator Map to find a food distribution site near you.