FAQ
About Our Work
What is the Freestore Foodbank?
The Freestore Foodbank is the largest emergency food provider in the Tri-State area, serving a 20 county region in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana. We solicit, collect, purchase and store food from manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers and government agencies and distribute it to more than 325 nonprofit member agencies that provide free food to those in need. The Freestore Foodbank is a member of Feeding America (formerly America’s Second Harvest), the national network of food banks and food rescue programs. The Freestore Foodbank is an independent nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. To download our IRS Form 990, click here.
Where is the Freestore Foodbank located?
The Freestore Foodbank has three locations:
Mayerson Distribution Center
1250 Tennessee Ave.
Cincinnati OH 45229
We receive and distribute over 12 million pounds of food annually from our Distribution Center. Here, all food is checked for quality and sorted, and our Power Packs are assembled by volunteers.
Jeff and Darlene Anderson Family Building
1141 Central Parkway
Cincinnati OH 45202
This location houses our Administrative Offices and the Rosenthal Community Kitchen, which is the home to Cincinnati Cooks Catering and our Cincinnati COOKS! Training Program, which prepares our Kids Cafe meals.
Customer Connection Center
112 E. Liberty St.
Cincinnati OH 45202
We provide emergency food assistance to over 7,200 individuals per month from our Customer Commection Center in Over-the-Rhine. Additionally, we provide connection to services that work to eliminate the root causes of hunger and poverty. Click here to learn more.
How does the Freestore Foodbank get food?
National and local food manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers, brokers and food distributors donate food and supplies to the Freestore Foodbank, including packaged, canned, perishable and non-perishable food, which meet all food safety and nutrition standards. Additionally, canned food drives bring in hundreds of thousands of pounds of food donated by the community. Fresh produce and prepared foods are donated by many grocery retailers including Kroger, biggs and Meijer. In order to supply the food programs with specific products, the Freestore Foodbank also purchases large quantities of staple foods and basic supplies at wholesale prices. Learn more about donating food to the Freestore Foodbank.
How is the food distributed?
Food arrives at the Freestore Foodbank on pallets from retailers or wholesalers or in barrels from community canned food drives. The food is inspected, sorted, labeled and stored at our distribution center for repacking and distribution. Member agencies order food based on their needs and are able to pick up their orders or have them delivered. In addition, our Mobile Food Pantry runs six days a week and carries up to 10,000 pounds of food to rural areas. Per month, our Power Pack program feeds over 7500 children and Kids Cafe provides over 9600 hot meals to children in need.
How much food is distributed?
In the last year, we provided over 12 million pounds of food to those in need in our region. Next year, our goal is to distribute 16.2 million pounds to meet the growing demand.
Who does the Freestore Foodbank serve?
The Freestore Foodbank serves our community’s most vulnerable citizens through partnerships with soup kitchens, food pantries, shelters, low-income daycare centers, after-school and summer programs, and senior, youth, rehabilitation and outreach centers. In all, our network consists of 325 member agencies and in-house programs like Kids Cafe and Power Pack.
Can those in need get food directly from the Freestore Foodbank?
The Freestore Foodbank does provide food directly to those in need from the Food Room at our Customer Connection Center in Over-the-Rhine. The food is distributed to a network of more than 325 member agencies that feed those in need in our extended community. If you or some you know needs emergency food assistance, visit our Get Help section to find an agency in your community.
Does the Freestore Foodbank sell food?
The Freestore Foodbank does not and cannot sell donated food. In addition, our network of member agencies are prohibited from selling food intended for those in need. Member agencies do contribute a small shared maintenance fee to cover operational costs; the rate is charged by the pound and varies by type of food. Donated produce and bread and all government food is provided by the Freestore Foodbank for free, with no shared maintenance fee.
