What it does
Develop solutions to end hunger through food banking, public policy and innovation.
Member services: azfbn's logistics goal is to get more and better quality food through the food bank network and into the hands of those who need it most. In fy 2024-2025 the azfbn logistics task force distributed 60,737,079 pounds of food through partnership with our members. Azfbn's new produce rescue operations distributed 48,121,256 pounds of donated produce to food banks and provided local farmers with challenged produce for compost and livestock feed. Azfbn also continued to support our food banks by purchasing highly nutritious food for clients through the friends of the farm program.
Innovation programs: azfbn works to ensure that especially vulnerable populations do not suffer from hunger and have pathways toward long-term food security and economic mobility. This includes helping children access school meals even when they cannot afford to pay, expanding rural summer food options, and supporting college students through outreach and campus pantry partnerships. Azfbn collaborates with tribally led committees focused on restoring food sovereignty and building traditional food systems. A statewide task force of community partners works together to improve food access for veterans and military families. Through the no limits job training program in rio rico, azfbn prepares local residents for higher wage jobs in the produce industry by offering hands-on training, career development, and connections to long-term employment.
Advocacy and education: azfbn is a key partner in advocating for food banks and arizonans experiencing hunger at the federal and state levels. We work with policymakers and other elected officials as well as state and federal agencies to improve access to healthy food through federal programs like the supplemental nutrition program (snap, formerly food stamps), school meals and emergency food assistance.