Food Distribution Events and Programs
Whether its through a mobile market distribution or our Food on the Move program, the St. Louis Area Foodbank delivers fresh and nutritious food directly to our partners and neighbors living in areas with limited access to fresh foods.
For information about upcoming Mobile Market dates and locations, click here.
Two types of Events
Drive-Through model
Individuals and families drive through a distribution line and volunteers place items in their car. (These are our F.A.R.M.s distribution events. See below under "F.A.R.M.s for more information.)
Walk-Through model
Individuals walk through a distribution line and volunteers assist individuals receiving items in carts, wagons, or other walking carriers. (These are our Food on the Move distribution events. See below under "Food on the Move" for more information.)
FOOD ON THE MOVE
Food On The Move is a walk-through, shopping-style food distribution program for individuals living in areas of Illinois and Missouri with limited access to healthy food and resources. At these distributions, neighbors can walk through our custom built trailer and choose the foods they need. Verification of personal information is not required to participate. The goal is to increase access by eliminating transportation barriers on a more regular basis. We also hope to minimize food waste by allowing people to choose quantities and products that fit their needs.
In its first two years, this initiative was a tremendous success bringing support to communities lacking adequate access or transportation to food outlets and grocery stores. We began with one trailer currently servicing 12 monthly distribution sites.
Now, thanks to the contributions of Bunge and Enterprise Holdings Foundation, the St. Louis Area Foodbank is doubling the size and impact of our Food on the Move (FOTM) program! Starting this July, FOTM will expand to two brand new, custom-built, 36-foot trailers enabling us to reach 28 locations.
These new trailers will provide neighbors with the same, comfortable, walk-through space they are accustomed to, but also offer twice the storage capacity from 3,000 lbs to 6,000 lbs of food for each distribution event! This increase will allow the St. Louis Area Foodbank to provide an additional 2,400 meals to each location we visit!
For more information on this program, click here.
Volunteers are needed for this program. Visit Volunteer Hub and search by county for Food on the Move volunteer opportunities.
Feeding America Map the Meal Gap data designates zip codes for the Food on the Move program by considering the following criteria:
• food insecurity rate of 30% or greater
• poverty level of 30% or greater
• unemployment of 15% or greater
• limited food access points and resources in the area
Food on the Move is funded in part by:
F.A.R.M.s (MOBILE MARKETS)
At our F.A.R.M.s (Food Access and Resource Markets), we deliver food on a monthly basis to partner agencies and program partners. At these drive-through events, St. Louis Area Foodbank partner agencies and program partners, along with volunteers, quickly give out food to families in need. Every distribution is unique and can be set up differently depending on the needs and location of our partners.
The St. Louis Area Foodbank and our partners hold nearly 80 Mobile Market distribution events each month in counties across Missouri and Illinois. Criteria for identifying Mobile Markets are as follows:
- Meals Per Person-In-Need goals
- Zip codes with food insecurity rates of 15% or higher
- Zip codes with a poverty level of 30% or higher
- Zip codes with unemployment levels of 15% or higher
Agencies in both rural and urban locations benefit from the Mobile Market program. Markets can coincide with an agency’s scheduled open hours or serve as an added resource.
For a calendar of our monthly distribution events, please click here.
For volunteer opportunities, click here.