Partner With Us To End Food Insecurity
The Palm Beach County Food Bank (PBCFB) sources food donated by local farmers, food distributors, retailers, and restaurants. The food is brought back to the PBCFB warehouse, where it is sorted and distributed to over 130 partner agencies (food pantries, soup kitchens, and residential facilities) that directly feed our neighbors in need.
We are the only locally led and governed food bank in Palm Beach County that distributes food to partner agencies at no cost.
Just-in-Time Deliveries (JIT)
JIT, a branch of our core program – Partner Marketplace – supports partner agencies with timely deliveries of substantial food quantities to bolster agency distribution efforts.Â
The initiative collaborates with agencies that have limited dry and cold storage and that are unable to scale up their food distribution. As a result, clients gain access to greater food supplies while the agency is equipped to serve a larger subset of the population than would otherwise be possible. Timely deliveries enhance food availability in underserved communities while helping to reduce food waste.
Open Fridge
The Open Fridge Initiative partners with organizations that lack the infrastructure to implement a traditional pantry by providing refrigerators and shelving to to high food-insecure communities.
Underserved communities receive fresh produce, dry and frozen goods, and the tools needed to lead healthy lives. All food items are provided free of charge to the participating agency. These items are then made available to the public, ensuring that no one in our community goes hungry. Refrigerators and pantries are installed in an accessible location within the agency, open to the public free of charge.
Partner Resources
Toolbox
Your Toolbox is your go-to resource for the essential information, tools, and documents you need to help combat food insecurity in your community and meet USDA agency requirements.
These are the resources you need to help combat food insecurity in your community.
- Handbook
- General Info Forms: Please communicate any changes in distribution days/hours or address.
- Contact Update Forms: Please communicate any changes in your agency’s contacts.
- Distribution Logs: Distribution logs must be signed by pantry clients during each distribution.
- Pest Control Log: Partner agencies must maintain an appropriate regular pest control system.
- Temperature Log: Storage temperatures should be recorded daily.
- Food Dating flyers:
- Monthly Report: Partner agencies are required to enter their monthly statistics by the first (1st) of every month.
These are the documents you need as a USDA agency.
- Eligibility Form: must be completed and signed by pantry clients to determine client’s TEFAP eligibility prier to receiving USDA Commodities.
- TEFAP Distribution Questions: to determine client’s TEFAP eligibility during each distribution.
- Agency Attestation sheet: must be completed following each distribution to summarize the total TEFAP clients served.
- Inventory Log:
- EXAMPLE
- Commodity Loss Report: Complete ONLY in case of a USDA commodity loss.
- Distribution Forms: The use of distribution forms are a PBCFB requirement. The client’s refusal of completing the PBCFB Distribution log, or any digital sign-in methods will not impact them from receiving USDA commodities during the distribution as long as an Eligibility form is completed.
- Temperature Log: Storage temperatures should be recorded daily.
- Civil Rights Training: All staff and volunteers must complete an annual civil rights training.
- And Justice for All Poster 2019: The poster must be posted in a public area that is accessible to clients during distributions.
- Additional Activities Sign (English, Spanish, Creole)
- USDA Notice of Beneficiary Rights – Memo
- Proselytism Memo (Rules for All Organizations)
- Misappropriation Notice Flyer (English, Spanish, Creole)
- TEFAP Grievance Form AD-3027
- Monthly USDA Report: USDA agencies are required to submit their monthly report by the seventh (7th) of every month.
Food Safety
Palm Beach County Food Bank (PBCFB) takes food safety very seriously. The following resources will assist you in the proper handling of food.
It’s easy to get food safety certified online!  The two online classes that we recommend for our partner agencies are the National Registry of Food Safety Professionals and 360training.com.  PBCFB will accept a passing food handler certification from either of these Florida Department of Health (FLDOH)-approved providers, as well as other reputable food safety test providers.
There are two federal agencies that are tasked with keeping our food supply safe: the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).  The USDA oversees food safety for meat, fish, poultry, and egg products.  All other food product safety is overseen by the FDA.  You can sign up to receive food recall alerts from FoodSafety.gov by clicking HERE.
PBCFB communicates with our partner agencies when we become aware of recalls that could affect our partner agencies.
PBCFB follows food safety guidelines to make sure that the food we distribute is safe to consume. Â Many people are not aware that the best-by, sell-by and other expiration dates found on food products are actually about a food product’s quality, not safety. Â The only expiration dates that must be followed for safety are the expiration dates found on baby food.Â
PBCFB sorts our food according to food safety guidelines for donated food recommended by the USDA.  You can view our user-friendly guide HERE.
Where can I find out more about expiration, best-by, and sell-by dates?
FoodSafety.gov has a great website with lots of food safety information as well as an app called FoodKeeper that you can download to your phone.Â
- Food Safety Certification
- Food Recall Information
- Palm Beach County Food Bank Food Dating Guide
- Food Product Dates Guide
Partner with Us
Become a partner agency today! Are you a food pantry, a soup kitchen, a shelter, senior center or a school? To determine eligibility, click on the program type below that best suits your organization. If your organization is eligible, you may submit the New Partner Assessment Form for review.
Partner Eligibility Requirements
Food Pantries are community-based, nonprofit food assistance programs most often found at churches, synagogues, mosques, and social service agencies. They provide a limited amount of food to individuals and families facing either food emergencies or ongoing food needs.
Food Pantries must:
- Be a designated 501©(3) and be able to provide an official copy of your determination letter with your application.
- Provide proof of operating a food pantry or an on-premiseS feeding program at least 6 months prior to the date of application.Â
- Be open and willing to serve individuals regardless of their race, color, ethnicity, national origin, ancestry, creed, religion, sexual orientation, physical appearance, disability status, age, pregnancy, or any other group membership not mentioned above.
- Be open a minimum of one time a month and operate at least 5 hours a month.
- Post signs that indicate both the presence of the food program and the days and hours of distribution and must be open during the days and hours reported.
- Be willing and able to provide food to those in need without requiring the recipient to pay, pray or work in order to eat or gain admission to the food distribution setting.
- Post a sign that states there is no fee or donation recommended or required to obtain food assistance.
- Provide proof of pest control plan, either a current contract with a licensed professional exterminator or an extermination logbook and products used. This must be available for review when our team conducts the yearly site visits.
- Adhere to all Food Bank policies as delineated in the agency handbook.
- Provide a copy of DHR license, if applicable.
- Provide a copy of County Health Department Report, if applicable.
- Provide any Safe Food Handler’s certificate recognized by county.
- Provide proof of operating a food pantry or an on-premise feeding program at least 6 months prior to the date on the application.
- Have mealtimes that occur at least once a week.
- Be willing and able to provide food to those in need without requiring the recipient to pay, pray, or work in order to eat or gain admission to the food distribution setting.
- Have a stove with a hood (vent) to ensure proper air ventilation.
- Have an industrial dishwasher or a three-step dishwashing sink.
- Have a hand-washing sink separate from dishwashing sink.
- Have one dial stem thermometer to measure the temperatures of a refrigerator, frozen and re-heated hot foods.
- Adhere to all Food Bank policies as delineated in the Partnership Contract.
There must be an established need in your community for a new food program. We reserve the right to review the concentration of agencies in your community. If a food program already exists in your neighborhood, then it may be more beneficial to collaborate with them. Upon request, we will provide a list of other agencies in your area that you may contact to discuss community-specific needs. These agencies may also offer opportunities for you to learn about food program activities in your community via network meetings.
If you meet the basic requirements, a Programs Team Coordinator will reach out to invite you to fill out a New Partner full application followed by a pantry inspection. If you do not meet the basic requirements, we will let you know why and what changes you can make to your program.
Please Note:
- Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee approval of partnership.
- The EIN number you provide MUST be verifiable on the IRS website as tax exempt.