The Josephine County Food Bank responds to the root causes of hunger and supports our community by striving to nourish, restore dignity, provide health, and champion community. Our mission is to lead the effort to eliminate hunger by empowering our community…because no one should be hungry!

We serve people experiencing hunger throughout Josephine County and work to connect them to the resources they need. 

We work in partnership with 25+ local organizations to distribute food to individuals through emergency pantries, meal sites, and supplemental programs. Together, we feed 18,000 of our friends and neighbors – one out of every five people in our county – every month. As the regional food bank for Josephine County, we are charged with ensuring that low-and no-income members of our community have access to healthy food, safe and hygienic facilities to access that food, and compassionate care. 

It takes thousands of volunteers, advocates, and donors to bring this vision of a hunger-free Josephine County to life every day. Here are some of the programs that make it happen:

Emergency Food Distribution

We distribute nutritious food for individuals and families through our 25+ local partners, including food pantries and meal sites, two of which are operated by JCFB staff and volunteers. In 2023, we distributed 2.4 million pounds of food – the equivalent of over 2 million meals! On average, we serve more than 18,000 individuals in need of food assistance each and every month. 

Raptor Creek Farm

Raptor Creek Farm is a production and education farm that grows fresh, nutritious food for distribution throughout the JCFB network of partner agencies. RCF provides opportunities for youth and adults to gain skills in gardening, nutrition, community building, and leadership. It is also home to our community garden.

Youth Internship Program (YIP)

YIP (Youth Internships Program) is a new job training program designed to mitigate poverty for youth ages 16-21 who experience social and economic disenfranchisement in rural JoCo. The program provides paid internships that offer opportunities for youth to work on the farm, engage in mentorship lunches, learn about sustainable agriculture practices, and prepare to be career-ready.

Youth Education

Through our Planting Seeds for the Future program, we connect children to food, health, nutrition, and their environment through hands-on learning at the farm. We also lead school garden renovations throughout the county, providing farm tours, educational activities, tastings, and more to build knowledge and set the habits for a strong and healthy life. In 2022 we provided education and hands-on gardening experience to 1,005 local youth!

Adult Education and Job Training

From providing job training in our warehouse to monthly workshops on Raptor Creek Farm and cooking demonstrations at local pantries, our programs represent a well-rounded set of strategies to promote self-sufficiency within our community. Our adult programs foster community collaboration, promote social support, and address factors that contribute to food insecurity.