 FoodLink Programs
 Food Bank Program
This is FoodLink's main food distribution program. FoodLink was founded in 1978 under the rule of "waste meets want." Millions of pounds of food grown and produced in our local area never get to market. FoodLink collects those items that meet health and safety requirements and delivers them to nonprofit hunger relief agencies. These agencies include emergency pantries, homeless and battered women shelters and soup kitchens. They then distribute our food to needy families and children in Tulare County.
Emergency Food Assistance Program (EFAP)
EFAP is a government program under USDA. FoodLink receives between one-half and two million pounds of food from EFAP every year. The EFAP food commodities are provided by the USDA through surplus foods, price subsidies and other USDA food purchases. These food items vary, but typically include flour, dry milk, fruits and vegetables, peanut butter and other foods. These EFAP commodities are distributed at 22 mass distributions held at emergency pantries, soup kitchens and rescue missions in each major town throughout the county. For a list of USDA commodities distribution sites in Tulare County, click here.
Nutrition on the Go!
FoodLink is proud of the success of our newest program, Nutrition on the Go! This program is currently active in 10 sites throughout Tulare County. Staffed mainly by trained local volunteers, many of whom are program participants. Nutrition on the Go! brings fresh fruits and vegetables, cooking tips and recipes, nutrition information, diabetes screenings and health education to low income families, often in communities with little or no access to fresh produce in their local markets due to unavailability or expense. Through Nutrition on the Go!, FoodLink partners with a variety of providers and agencies to promote healthier choices in a festive and fun, community-building atmosphere. For the 2008 calendar of Nutrition on the Go! events in Tulare County, click here.
Summer Food Service Program
This USDA-sponsored program provides a nutritious lunch to children who do not receive school lunch during the summer. FoodLink began sponsoring this program in 1991 and now serves 14 different sites throughout Tulare County.
After School Snack Program
The After School Snack Program began in 1992 with a request from Washington School for a "snack" to feed kids who stay after school for special help and tutoring. It quickly grew to a closet program where teachers and aides had a little stash of food for kids who come to school dizzy or sleepy from lack of food. Today, we have 30 schools, youth centers, healthy starts and other children's programs which participate in our snack program. The foods for this division are supplied through FoodLink's food bank program.
Holiday Basket Program
FoodLink currently provides 5,000 nutritious food baskets to Tulare County’s neediest families during the holidays. Food is collected for the baskets through our Stuff the Trolley! and Care & Share food drives, which run during the months of November and December. FoodLink then supplements the baskets with poultry and fresh fruits and vegetables. The food baskets are then distributed to needy families through more than 30 local organizations.
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FoodLink for Tulare County, Inc. is a private, local nonprofit food bank that has been serving children, seniors, and families in Tulare County since 1978. FoodLink’s network of partner agencies and organizations distributes millions of pounds of food each year to needy families.
FoodLink for Tulare County, Inc.
Mailing address: P.O. Box 1544 Visalia, CA. 93279
Physical address: 7427 W. Sunnyview Visalia, CA. 93291
Phone: (559) 651-3663 Fax: (559) 651-2569
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