ABOUT

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Fallbrook Food Pantry has served low -income and disadvantaged families since 1991.   Available to the community 5 days a week, we offer a well-balanced selection of food, promoting wellness for every individual in our community.  Our  programs support an average of 25,000 household visits annually, distributing nearly
1,000,000 pounds of food to those in-need in the greater Fallbrook area.

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Food Insecurity

Food insecurity affects 500,000 San Diegans every day.  And it effects every population - working families, veterans, senior citizens, college students and growing children, are the most affected.  One in five who are considered food insecure are children.



​According to the San Diego Hunger Coalition, "nearly half of adults (44%) and children (45%) that live in households below 200% of Federal Poverty Level experience food insecurity.  Half (50%) of low-income African Americans experience food insecurity, compared to 42% of low-income Latinos, 40% of low-income Whites, and 34% of low-income Asians.  Sixty percent (3 out of 5) of low-income single parent households experience food insecurity.  Fifty percent of low-income adults experiencing food insecurity are living with a disability. More than half (55%) of low-income adults experiencing food insecurity are employed. "

​Our Solution

Food 1x Week
Our 3,000+ registered clients may come in once per week to receive food.

8 lbs. Per Person
The amount of nutritious food distributed averages about eight pounds of food per person each visit.

500 Families Per Week
We serve an average of 500 families per week through our programs with a sharp increase during the holidays.

The amount of food distributed varies according to the size of each household.

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Our Nutrition Policy

Purpose
Fallbrook Food Pantry believes a nutritious diet is essential to the well-being of the individuals in our community.  We believe every individual should have access to a healthy and nutritious diet. We practice being good stewards of the funds and items donated to us and never violate the trust of our community.  We respond to people in-need by advocating dignity, respect, and fairness for all people by providing hope through nurturing love and emotional support.  Most importantly, we encourage our clients to become self-sufficient, independent, and productive members of the community.
 
Nutrition Guidelines
Fallbrook Food Pantry is committed to providing a variety of nourishing foods from every food group to all clients.  We commit to providing the following at every distribution: 
 
Fresh Fruits & Vegetables

• Each person receives 8-10 pounds of fresh produce weekly
  • 6 or more different fresh fruits
  • 6 or more different fresh vegetables

Whole Grains

• 1 or more whole grains

• Examples include:
  • 100% whole grains
    • Ex. rolled oats, barley, Bulgar, faro, millet, quinoa, brown rice, wild rice
  • Whole grain rich bread, pasta, and tortillas
    • Contains whole grain as the first ingredient (ex. 100% whole wheat, whole corn, etc.)

Proteins

• 1 or more lean proteins
• Examples include:
  • Poultry, lean beef, lean pork (fresh or frozen)
  • Fresh whole eggs
  • Canned white meats
    • Low sodium, canned in water when possible (ex. low sodium canned chicken)
  • Fish
    • Fresh, frozen, or canned in water
  • Canned/dry beans or lentils
    • No sugar or salt added
  • Nuts/nut butters
    • Unsalted, no sugar added (when possible)

 
Purchased Products:

• FFP is committed to having our purchasing reflect a balanced diet as described by Feeding America, San Diego Food Bank, and USDA’s MyPlate.
• FFP will continue to approach nutrition holistically and consider physical, spiritual and cultural needs.

 
Donated Products:

• We will communicate healthy food drive and donation guidelines to all donors:
  • Meat and proteins: beef stew, chicken stew, chili, tuna, lentil soup, peanut butter, nutritional drinks for seniors (i.e. Ensure)
  • Dried goods and canned goods: all canned fruits and vegetables, pastas and pasta sauce, canned and bottled juices, macaroni and cheese, dried beans and peas, rice, breakfast cereals and oatmeal, bread, tortillas, crackers, soups, flour, sugar, cooking oils
  • Dairy: powdered and canned milk (unsweetened)
  • Baby items: baby foods (no formulas)
• For safe handling purposes, FFP does not accept donations in glass containers.

 
Distributed Products

• FFP does not distribute:
  • Alcohol
  • Soda
  • Candy
  • Damaged and unsafe foods
• Soda and candy is offered to volunteers but not distributed to clients

 
Donations to our Partners

• Foods provided by FFP to our partners organizations will reflect our nutrition values with the goal to provide foods from all 4 food groups
• FFP does not provide food to partner organizations that we do not ourselves distribute (i.e. sodas, candy, damaged goods, etc.)

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​Continuing Considerations

• The nutrition policy will be reviewed on an annual basis.