The Food Bank of Northeast Georgia was founded in 1992 in an effort to end hunger in northeast Georgia. That year, the food bank distributed approximately 350,000 pounds of food to 36 agencies. The organization has grown tremendously since then, distributing nearly 12 million pounds of food through more than 225 partner organizations in 2015.

In 2016, the Food Bank earned a “High Achievement” ranking from The American Institute of Baking Food Safety Audit, the most stringent food safety standards in the food industry. The Food Bank of Northeast Georgia is one of many food banks in the U.S. to be certified by AIB and one of the few to receive the ranking of “High Achievement.” The AIB ranking also places the Food Bank within the top 5 to 10 percent of food safety in the U.S. and in the top 10 percent of the food industry.

The Food Bank expanded its reach into the Georgia mountain region in 2016 by opening a distribution warehouse and food processing center in Rabun County. The $6.4 million food hub includes a production facility, flash freezing capabilities, a teaching kitchen and a food distribution center. Completion of a commercial kitchen will be completed in 2017. Through the food hub, the Food Bank aims to combat hunger and spur economic development in northeast Georgia and serve as a small business incubator for farmers by providing local food businesses a space and equipment to produce a marketable product.

Other Information

2016 Audit

The Food Bank of Northeast Georgia is a 501(c)3 that recovers donated and salvaged surplus food and distributes it to human-service agencies that then distribute the food to residents in need. The Food Bank works with local, regional, state and national product partners to bring food into the community. Product partners include:

• MANUFACTURERS
• GROCERSRETAILERS
• DISTRIBUTORS
• TRUCKING COMPANIES
• FARMS
• OTHER BUSINESSES
• INDIVIDUALS
• ORGANIZATIONS

Once the Food Bank receives the food, it is processed and stored in dry, refrigerated, and frozen storage units. Emergency food is distributed to those in need through partner agencies and community programs which include:

• AGENCY DISTRIBUTION
• MOBILE PANTRY PROGRAM
• LENA WATKINS EMERGENCY SENIOR BROWN BAG PROGRAM
• FOOD 2 KIDS PROGRAM
• SUMMER FOOD SERVICES PROGRAM
• FEEDING A FAMILY PROGRAM
• KIDS CAFÉ PROGRAM
• CHARLIE & JESSICA OSTICK “STOCK THE PANTRY” PROGRAM