Second Harvest Food Bank

Mission

To acquire and distribute food in partnership with organizations serving people in need.

Programs

Community Food Systems Assessment - Universities within our 23 parish service area study how food goes from farmer to consumer. The New Orleans City Council has set up a food policy to study how policy can help people access food. Surplus Food Programs - Concerns Second Harvest Food Bank, Food Manufacturers/ Distributors, Grocers and Brokers, and Farmers within our 23 parish service territory. Food is donated to the Food Bank then distributed to member agencies to be given to Louisianians that require this service. Second Helpings - Prepared and perishable food rescue. Gathers prepared foods from restaurants, hotels, caterers, and conventions. Distributes this food through on-site feeding programs. This program supplements our Kids Cafe' Program. Kids Cafe' - Based on the nation program of America's Second Harvest, Kids Cafe' has a local twist. Children eat in a restaurant-style setting and participate in all aspects of the program. Each site is rooted in its neighborhood with involvement from parents, children, other adults, and organizations. In addition to providing nutritious food for the children, they have the opportunity to participate in hospitality training, thus giving them marketable skills for future opportunities. Back Pack - Kids at risk for hunger are sent home on weekends and other out-of-school times with food in a discreet back pack or Lagniappe Pack until access to Federal breakfast and lunch programs resume. The foods are nutritious and kid-friendly (easy to prepare). Distribution sites are schools and places where children normally congregate before going home (churches, community centers, Kids Cafe' sites, etc.) 9-A-Day The Head Start Way - Nine is the recommended number of fruits and veggies per day. This is a pilot program that allows selected schools to receive delivery of produce and planned activities from an LSU Agricultural Center that also recommends a preschool nutrition curriculum. Nutritious snacks and meals are prepared by the Head start food staff. This pilot program is being evaluated to determine the most effective way to change the eating habits of children. Mobile Pantry - Brings food supplies to people in areas that lack means access the nearest food pantry. The mobile pantry comes to the community and offers the opportunity for Second Harvest to reach out to populations currently underserved. Emergency Food Box - Surpplus food provided to individuals and families in temporary crisis. Community food drives generate non-perishable food that is used to fill the boxes. Food is given to agencies to distribute under guidelines of the program.

Hunger touches every community in South Louisiana, including yours. One in six people (and one in four children) in our community experiences food insecurity. Inflation has made it even harder for families to put food on the table. Families are choosing between paying rent or buying groceries. Seniors are making the difficult choice between food and medicine.

Thanks to a generous $10,000 matching gift challenge, on #iGiveCatholic Day every $1 you donate provides 6 meals to a family, child, or senior facing hunger. Your support makes our mission possible. 

These are just a few examples of the impact your gift can make:

• Stocking the shelves at hundreds of local food pantries for the holiday season and year-round
• Filling Mobile Pantry trucks that deliver fresh food to areas with limited access to food
• Preparing and delivering meals and snacks to children at after-school programs
• Ensuring seniors have the nutritious meals and groceries they need to stay healthy
• Providing access to affordable produce and groceries with the Makin' Groceries Mobile Market

Thank you for your generous support!

Who We Are

Second Harvest Food Bank is leading the fight against South Louisiana through food access, advocacy, education, and disaster response. One in five families in South Louisiana is at risk of hunger. We provide more than 32 million meals annually to 210,000 people in need across 23 parishes.

Every $1 donation helps provide 4 meals to a hungry family. When you donate to Second Harvest, you help create a brighter future for our entire community. Thank you!