Our Story

At the Food Bank for Larimer County, we believe no one should be hungry. Our dream is to deliver health, hope and humanity to stabilize the lives of our clients and build a vibrant community. We are a private non-profit organization and the only Feeding America clearinghouse for donated food in our county. Each year, we provide food to more than 50,000 people in need through our programs and community partners.

OUR

VISION

A hunger-free Larimer County

OUR

MISSION

Provide food to all in need through community partnerships and hunger-relief programs. 

OUR

VALUES

Integrity, accountability, efficiency, dignity

History of the Food Bank

After conducting a survey in 1983, VISTA volunteer, Sandy Bowden verified a need for an efficient, centralized food collection and distribution resource that would avoid duplication of effort. She looked around the state to learn how other communities were serving the food needs of low-income individuals and determined that Larimer County needed a Food Bank.

In 1984, under Sandy’s leadership, the Food Bank for Larimer County opened its doors on East Oak Street. 

During the first month of operation, Sandy and her volunteers were proud to provide 3,800 pounds of food to individuals and families in need. In those days, food came primarily from rotating food drives between different houses of worship. In the first 12 months, the Food Bank distributed 56,836 pounds of food. 

We’ve grown a lot since those early days of operation. 

The Food Bank for Larimer County today distributes enough food for up to 10 million meals a year

There have been so many innovations, adaptions, and expansions—bettering our ability to help those who are food insecure. We couldn’t have come so far without the work and dedication of the volunteers and staff before us.

Here are a few milestones that help tell our story:

1984

  • Sandy Bowden founded the Larimer County Food Distribution Center on East Oak Street in Fort Collins to respond to a food security need.
 

1991

  • First year distributing 1 million pounds of food.
 

1994

  • On July 11, Wendie Robinson became the Food Bank’s next executive director. One of her first accomplishments was installing a new and larger-scale freezer.
 

1999

  • Changed name from the Larimer County Food Distribution Center to the Food Bank for Larimer County.
 

2002

  • Began distributing fresh produce upon the receipt of a grant from Kraft Foods. 
 

2004

  • On July 6, the Food Bank’s board appointed Amy Pezzani, agency relations director and executive director for the Ozarks Harvest Food Bank, as the newest Executive Director.
 

2005

 

2006

  • New logo and rebranding including the shift from “pantry” as “Fresh Food Share.”
  • (June) The Loveland Fresh Food Share opens at N. Lincoln Ave. in a leased facility. The expansion comes after the Food Bank sees more than double the number of Loveland residents in need of services — from 489 Loveland visits in 2002 to 1,051 visits in 2006.
  • First year distributing 5 million pounds of food.
  • Began operating Fresh Food Share in Loveland.
 

2007

  • Reached milestone of partnering with 50 Agency Partners.
  • First year rescuing 5 million pounds of food rescued from landfill in a year.
 

2008

  • First year distributing 5 million meals.
  • Feeding America was rebranded.
 

2009

  • (September) Experience uncharacteristic increase in need at our Food Share pantries indicating the beginning of the Great Recession in Larimer County.
  • The Food Bank launches Larimer Shares; Growing to Feed the Need—a $2.1 million capital campaign to purchase a permanent facility for Loveland Food Share
 

2011

  • The Food Bank successfully completes Larimer Shares and Loveland Food Share moves into a permanent home at 2600 N. Lincoln Avenue.
 

2014

  • As a result of identifying underserved areas, mobile food pantries begin in Berthoud and Southwest Fort Collins. 
 

2015

 

2016

  • (May) Food Bank finds an option for a new, permanent distribution center and goes under contract on a building in Loveland.
  • Partnered with Volunteers of America (VOA) to provide scratch, cooked, hot meals to seniors
 

2017

  • Launches an ambitious capital campaign, Feeding Our Future, a $9.1 million campaign to fund purchase and renovation of a bigger and more functional distribution center. Purchases and begins renovation of new facility in May.
  • Launched Mobile Pantry program in partnership with Foothills Unitarian Church.
  • Implemented first community medical based pantry: Family Medicine Center.
  • The Food Bank debuts its Kids Café food truck. This was made possible thanks to a $50,000 grant from Northern Colorado UNIFY.
  • Reached milestone of partnering with 100 Agency Partners.
  • Branding overhaul to new leaf logo.
 

2018

  • Moved into our new distribution facility on May 18 – on time and on budget!
 

2019

 

2020

  • Identified first pop-up pantry site, which soon led to the permanent mobile pantry at Poudre High School.
  • Pandemic Pivots:
    • Shift to drive-through distribution.
    • Huge increase in volunteer support.
    • Innovative partnerships (Veg Out).
  •  

2021

 

2024

Food Bank for Larimer County Web Search

Important Food Recall Notice

Feeding America issued notice of an urgent product recall of a variety of Albertsons Companies/Supplier products Oct. 3.

The Food Bank has isolated and disposed of these products and made all Food Bank partners aware of the situation. Anyone who may have received these products is asked to dispose of them.

UPDATE: We are currently providing support to our partner agencies. Hygiene items are the most requested, including diapers, period products, toothbrushes and toothpaste. Visit any of our locations to donate food or supplies.

The Food Bank for Larimer County is carefully monitoring the status of the Alexander Mountain Fire. 

If you or someone you know needs food, please know that the Food Bank’s no-cost markets are available as a resource.

Locations and hours:

Loveland Fresh Food Share, 2600 N. Lincoln St., in Loveland

Fort Collins Fresh Food Share, 1301 Blue Spruce Dr., Fort Collins

10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday and noon to 3 p.m. Wednesday

Plan ahead for our altered schedule during the week of Christmas:

The Food Bank for Larimer County Fresh Food Share No-cost Markets and administrative will be closed Thursday, July 4 

This affects Food Bank locations.

***

El banco de alimentos para el condado de Larimer Fresh Food Share sin costo Los mercados y la administración estarán cerrados el jueves 4 de julio.

Esto afecta las ubicaciones de los Bancos de Alimentos.

ROAD CLOSURES WILL IMPACT EASY ACCESS TO FORT COLLINS FOOD SHARE: 

A full closure of northbound College Ave. in Fort Collins will affect easy/regular access to our Food Share location at 1301 Blue Spruce from April 15 – 19. Plan accordingly. 

PLEASE NOTE: The Loveland Fresh Food Share has closed early Saturday, Feb. 24. It will re-open during regular business hours Tuesday. 

FOOD BANK CLOSURE:

The Food Bank Food Share location at both Fort Collins (Blue Spruce) and Loveland (Lincoln Ave.) are closed Saturday, April 6.

Administrative Offices at Wright Drive in Loveland are closed Friday, April 5. 

CIERRE DEL BANCO DE ALIMENTOS:

Las ubicaciones de Food Share del Banco de Alimentos en Fort Collins (Blue Spruce) y Loveland (Lincoln Ave.) estarán cerradas el sábado 6 de abril.

Las oficinas administrativas en Wright Drive en Loveland estarán cerradas el viernes 5 de abril.

Due to inclement weather, the Food Bank’s office and Fresh Food Shares will be closed Tuesday, Jan. 16.
Normal business hours will resume at all locations Wednesday.
Please stay warm! 
 
Debido a las inclemencias del tiempo, la oficina del Banco de Comida y Fresh Food Shares estarán cerradas el martes 16 de enero.
 
El horario comercial normal se reanudará en todas las ubicaciones el miércoles.
 
¡Manténgase abrigado!

Due to winter holidays, please observe the changes in our regular schedule listed below:

 

Dec. 23-26: Food Share Pantries & Administrative Offices CLOSED

Dec. 27-29: OPEN Regular Hours

Dec. 30 – Jan. 1: Food Share Pantries & Administrative Offices CLOSED

Jan. 2: OPEN – Resume Regular Hours

 

We are different together.

At FBLC we are not all the same. And that is our greatest strength. We draw from our differences of who we are, what we have experienced, and how we think. We cultivate a dynamic and diverse work environment, one that plays a critical role in our ambitious work to end hunger, so we believe in including everyone.

FBLC is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth and pregnancy-related conditions), gender identity or expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, military service and veteran status, physical or mental disability, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws and ordinances in the provisions of its programs, services, or activities to include discrimination against a person because the person complained about discrimination, filed a charge of discrimination, or participated in a discrimination investigation or lawsuit.

FBLC’s management team is dedicated to this policy with respect to recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, training, compensation, benefits, employee activities, access to facilities, and programs and general treatment during employment.

We embrace a philosophy that recognizes and values diversity.

Our goal is to attract, develop, retain, and promote a talented diverse workforce in a culture where all employees will contribute to their fullest potential.

FBLC endeavors to make our careers site accessible to any and all users. If you would like to contact us regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process, please contact our Human Resources team at hr@foodbanklarimer.org. This contact information is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.

Thinking about applying and feel you may not meet all of our qualifications?

If you believe you can shine in one of our roles, we encourage you to apply!

Be aware of altered Food Share hours during the week of
Thanksgiving:

Monday, November 20 | OPEN | 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Tuesday, November 21 | OPEN | 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Wednesday, November 22 | OPEN | noon – 3:00 pm
Thursday, November 23 | CLOSED
Friday, November 24 | CLOSED
Saturday, November 25 | CLOSED
Sunday, November 26 | CLOSED
Monday, November 27 | CLOSED – Regular schedule resumes

If there is a government shutdown...

The most important thing for you to know, is the Food Bank for Larimer County IS NOT A GOVERNMENT AGENCY. No matter what happens, we will remain open and available to support you. 

There will be other changes you’ll need to know about.  Click here to learn more. 

Si hay un cierre del gobierno...

Lo más importante que debe saber es que el Banco de Comida del Condado de Larimer NO ES UNA AGENCIA GOBERNAMENTAL. Pase lo que pase, permaneceremos abiertos y disponibles para apoyarlos.

Habrá otros cambios que necesitarás conocer. Clic aquí para saber más.

The Food Bank for Larimer County’s no-cost markets will be closed Saturday, Aug. 31. 

Our Administrative Office will be closed Monday, September 2.

***

El Banco de Comida estará cerrado sábado, 31 de agosto y lunes, 2 de septiembre.

Food Bank for Larimer County is closed Wednesday, August 23, 2023.


Banco de comida ester estará cerrado el miércoles, 23 de agosto de 2023.