STORIES
Orange County is known for wealth and abundance, yet too many people are at risk of hunger. Here are a few stories of our neighbors in need and how we are helping them.
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New Food Pantry: Anaheim High School’s “The Market at Anaheim”
On September 25, Anaheim High School unveiled the opening of The Market, the school’s new food pantry. This is Second Harvest’s second high school pantry and seventh permanent school pantry in Orange County. Read More -
It’s the Pumpkin Season!
There’s more to pumpkins than carved Jack-o'-lanterns! Rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, pumpkin is an incredibly nutritious food. Here’s why you should incorporate more of this nutritious, versatile type of winter squash into your diet. Read More -
National Watermelon Day
Second Harvest Food Bank is celebrating National Watermelon Day on August 3rd with these no-cook, easy-to-prep recipes from Irvine-based Harvest Solutions Farm. Read More -
The Tri-Force: Second Harvest’s Super Team
At Second Harvest we strive to provide nutritious food to our pantries and partners in order to reach those we serve as quickly and efficiently as possible. Read More -
Our Journey to Zero Waste & Tips We Learned Along the Way
At Second Harvest, we always strive to operate as sustainably as we can by ensuring that as much food as possible reaches those in need. Read More -
Remembering Mark Wetterau
Second Harvest is saddened to learn of the passing of Mark Wetterau, Chairman & CEO of Golden State Foods and former Board Chair of Second Harvest. Read More -
Protectors of the Food Chain
We want to take a moment to spotlight three women who are leading the fight against food insecurity in Orange County. Read More -
Feel the Sun on Your Back and Help Bring Produce to Families in Need
Harvest Solutions Farm provides plenty of opportunities for caring neighbors like you to volunteer. In fact, volunteers are key to the success of the Farm Read More -
New Year, Healthier You, One Bite at a Time
While we can’t believe how fast 2022 came and went, here we are with a fresh new year ahead of us. Perhaps one filled with the resolution to eat healthier - if so, how are you doing so far? Read More
NEWSLETTERS
Here are our quarterly newsletters where you’ll find the latest news about the Food Bank, the people you’ve helped us feed and more.
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Newsletters
ENDING POVERTY BY
FIRST ENDING HUNGER
As a connected community of 3.2 million people, we must open our eyes to the reality that hunger lives in the shadows of every city in Orange County. But because even the three largest anti-hunger/anti-poverty organizations can only do so much, we formed the Orange County Hunger Alliance that now leverages a unified approach to making a lasting impact.
Our unique alliance will tackle harmful systemic issues by increasing food distribution efficiencies, minimizing food waste and breaking the cycle of intergenerational poverty. When we succeed in these efforts, Orange County will emerge stronger than ever before, ensuring a promising future for everyone in our county.
IN THE NEWS
Here’s where you’ll find links to impactful stories about our work feeding those in need in OC.
- At 40, OC’s Second Harvest Food Bank works to put itself out of business. (The Orange County Register) What started as a church group giving out dented cans of soup and boxes of cereal is now a complex operation to feed the hungry.
- Many Orange County Residents Still Struggle Putting Food on Table. (Voice of OC) Orange County food bank leaders don’t see the need for food dropping anytime soon after a sharp increase in demand during the COVID-19 pandemic and a food cliff that hit not long after when beefed up food stamps ended.
- The Great 24-Hour Nutrition Mission: Second Harvest Food Bank. (KTLA 5) Gayle Anderson previews the Second Harvest Food Bank’s Tuesday, October 24th, GREAT 24-HOUR NUTRITION MISSION. The one-day online giving campaign supports the food bank’s operations and programs such as Harvest Solutions Farm.
- OC Leader Board: 40 Years of Nourishing Ever-Evolving OC. (Orange County Business Journal) In the first year, we operated out of a humble, 10,000-square-foot former citrus packing warehouse in Orange. We had 53 partner agencies and distributed 2.7 million pounds of food to the community. We now have almost 300 partners and distribute over 36 million pounds. On Oct. 24, 2023, we will commemorate our 40th anniversary of serving local children, seniors and working families with dignity, equity and consistency, thanks to underwriter Ralphs and Food4Less.
- Dinner tables are diverse, so should be their meals, OC food pantries try to emphasize. (The Orange County Register) Kelly Alesi, director of sourcing, logistics and sustainability at the Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County, said centering inclusivity in the organization’s mission ensures that everyone can voice what they want to eat and have a dignified experience at a food bank or food pantry.
Jill Wilson decided to volunteer with Second Harvest in 2008 when she was in between jobs and looking for a way to apply her talents that could benefit the community. She arrived one day at Second Harvest’s former distribution center in Orange, ready to serve, and felt immediately connected to the mission.
Like Jill and Ian, other friends of the food bank may be looking for ways to connect meaningfully with Second Harvest to help those experiencing hunger in Orange County for years to come. One simple way to make a significant impact, while achieving peace of mind, is by creating a will or revocable living trust with our partner, FreeWill.
March is National Nutrition Month, an annual awareness campaign that encourages us to learn about nutrition, develop healthy eating habits and discover the fun of being physically active. At Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County, we strive to provide everyone in Orange County with the nutrition they need to grow and excel in life.
Last spring, here at Second Harvest we completely revamped our focus to proactively purchase fresh nutrition for those in need, ensuring a steady pipeline of protein, dairy, eggs, fruits and vegetables to our approximately 300 partner and program sites. As a next step, we recently unveiled our new, 6,200-square-foot cold storage facility and two additional cold docks that establish a “cold chain” at our distribution center in Irvine. This gives us a total of 14,550 square feet of cold storage, which greatly enhances our ability to source and distribute more nutritious food.
Second Harvest continues to fight increasing food insecurity through our Pop-Up Drive Thru food distributions with the help of many amazing volunteers and it is no surprise that many of them are mothers. Jacqueline is one such volunteer and I wanted to learn more of her story.
here to volunteer representing other mothers…to give back to the community, to be a role model to my children. As a mother, as a woman, as a friend, as a wife…you have so many hats you have to put on and one of them is giving. When I go home my daughter asks me, “Mom what did you do today?” And I say, “I got to give back to people, people that really don’t have as much as we do.” Hopefully she sees me doing this and then as she gets older, she’ll want to give back just the same way.”
Pantry. Their style traditionally has always been very welcoming and focused on building relationships with those they serve. They would put out coffee and pastries and spend time talking with the families who would come early just to socialize.
One of Nancy’s key volunteers, Mary Kaye, also shared insights. Mary Kaye is an emergency room doctor who has been spending much of her spare time serving at the Saint Timothy pantry. She began volunteering pre-COVID by taking blood pressures on pantry days and translating for Spanish-speaking clients.. All the changes have her missing conversations and connecting with the families they serve.
can take your blood pressure soon,” and encouraging them.”
Whatever the situation that keeps students on campus and struggling to feed themselves, the Fresh Basic Needs Hub at UCI remains open to serve them, supported by food from Second Harvest. Student hunger is a serious challenge, made even worse by the pandemic, but Fresh, as it’s called, has the mission to provide for the basic needs of UCI students, allowing them to focus on academics.
Last week did not feel hopeful. Seeing the injustice of the past few days makes me cringe. It causes me to grieve when I see people treated unfairly or worse. But I’m choosing to move forward with hope. How can I have hope this week? Because I know Andrea and I see how she treats people who sometimes feel trapped. The team at Fresh, and all the other college pantries in Orange County serve as a lifeline for their students, providing for basic needs and offering a dignified experience for everyone who comes to them for help. Their service is a beacon of hope in the darkness.
redirected those emotions toward survival and humility. While it was a very difficult decision, Stephen and Kristina decided that in order to make it through this crisis, they would need to receive assistance the first time in their lives. This is what it means to be newly vulnerable.