Historical Highlights

Ever since our founding in 1978, we have been committed to nourishing Chicago. Over the years, we have expanded our programs and services to meet the urgent need affecting one in six Cook County residents. Here are some notable milestones in our history.

1978

Tom O’Connell, Robert W. Strube, Sr., Father Philip Marquard, Gertrude Snodgrass, Ann Connors and Ed Sunshine incorporate a food bank called the Greater Chicago Food Depository.

1979

The Greater Chicago Food Depository opens at Robert Strube’s produce stall in the South Water Market and operations begin. The Food Depository distributed 471,000 pounds of food from 22 food donors to 85 agencies in its first year of operation.

1981

Supply grew when Illinois legislators passed a Good Samaritan law limiting liability for food producers who donate their surplus. Within a year food donors increased to 111, distribution to 6.1 million pounds and agencies to 375.

1984

The growing Food Depository settled in a 91,000-square-foot facility at 4501 South Tripp Avenue.

1986

The Food Depository established a Perishable Food Program, now known as Food Rescue, with a grant from Chicago Community Trust. Food Rescue collects unused, but edible, food from grocers for distribution to food pantries and soup kitchens.

1993

The Produce People Share Program addressed the need for fresh fruits and vegetables in the community. The first Kids Cafe® began serving after-school hot meals for low-income children.

1998

Distribution topped 25 million pounds. Chicago’s Community Kitchens, a free, 14-week culinary training program for unemployed and underemployed adults, was founded.

2001

The first Producemobile, a farmers’ market on wheels, began distributing fresh produce to low-income communities.

2004

Opened a new 268,000-square-foot warehouse and training center that brought all programs under one roof and became an international model for food banks. Pantry University, a training program for staff and volunteers from member agencies, opened its doors.

2005

A second Producemobile began operation.

2006

Nourish for Knowledge Children’s Program and an Older Adult Program launched.

2007

Responding to the need on nights and weekends, the Mobile Pantry Program began operating.

2009

Benefits Outreach services began to assist eligible individuals in applying for federal nutrition benefits.

2010

Children’s programs expanded with Healthy Kids Markets in schools and summer Lunch Bus meal distributions at community sites.

2012

Chicago’s Community Kitchens reached a milestone of 1,000 graduates. Fresh produce increased to 33 percent of all food distributed.

2013

Outreach to food insecure veterans expanded with the opening of a weekly food pantry at Jesse Brown VA Medical Center.

2014

A second food pantry for veterans opened, distributing food once a week at Edward Hines, Jr. VA Hospital.

2015

Community health providers launched food insecurity screening and referrals. Partners include the Cook County Health and Hospitals System and ACCESS Community Health Network.

TODAY

The Food Depository distributed nearly 72 million pounds of food in FY17, including 26 million pounds of produce. The network of 700 pantries, soup kitchens, shelters and programs in Cook County continues to deliver this food where it is needed most.