Food Bank Application in California

​The whole process can take 6-8 weeks depending on the time of year. Once you have submitted your application, you will hear from us within 4-5 weeks to schedule your monitoring appointment. We will not schedule a monitoring appointment until your application is complete. Pending a successful monitoring visit, your membership with Second Harvest will be activated. We will then schedule your first appointment to acquire food and guide you through the warehouse rules and procedures.
​
(Please note: We do not usually process any applications in November and December because the demand for our services is especially high.)

​Our non-profit organizations attain food from Second Harvest and store the food in a designated space that has been monitored and approved by a Second Harvest of the Greater Valley Representative. Individuals who are in need of food assistance visit the pantries during selected times and are given pre-packed bags of supplemental grocery items.

Every agency is required to submit monthly reports detailing income levels, age, ethnicity, etc for each individual served. You must submit this report on or before the 10th of each month for the previous month’s food distribution.
​
These reports allow us to provide accurate information to Feeding America detailing the people served; are a necessary part of the grant writing process; and are also compiled into statistical information for our cities, counties and state.

There is a $100 annual fee for new agency applicants. Once your organization has become an active agency with Second Harvest Food Bank, you will acquire product at our warehouse located in Manteca, California. Your organization will pay a required handling fee each time product is acquired. The handling fee differs for each item, but will never be more than .19 cents per pound for donated product. Beginning July 1st, 2016 online shopping will be implemented for the safety of the agencies and our staff.

Becoming an agency with Second Harvest enables your organization to gain access to a variety of food items at a fraction of the cost. This in turn allows your organization to effectively and efficiently support the needs of the community.

​The ideal monthly distribution is 38 pounds of food per adult, and 20 pounds per child. These standards have been determined by Feeding America to help meet the needs of individuals and families who suffer from food insecurity.

You will need a permanent space to store and distribute all Second Harvest Product. The following supplies are also helpful: refrigerator and/or freezer, shelving, tables, desk, contact phone with message machine, handcart, box cutters, grocery bags, and pantry signage.
​
Each agency is responsible for proper pest management at its location. Second Harvest will inspect pest control records regularly.

(Please Note: If your agency does not have a refrigerator and/or freezer, your agency will not be authorized to shop for items that require a refrigerator and/or freezer storage)

For more detailed information on requirements, please visit our Agency Forms page.

National and local manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers, brokers and food distributors donate food and related products to Second Harvest. These products including packaged, canned, perishable, and non-perishable foods meet all food safety and nutrition standards.
​
In addition, Second Harvest of the Greater Valley also purchases staple foods such as beans, rice, proteins, dairy, produce, and many other items.

​Most of our product is donated, so we have an ever changing stock of available items. We are usually stocked with dry, canned, and frozen items, fresh produce and brand name items. On occasion we also have miscellaneous non-food products including diapers, cleaning products and paper goods.

Please feel free to call the Second Harvest Food Bank office with any questions you may have. Please ask for our Agency Relations Manager, Melissa Mays at 209-490-5180.