Each year, about 20% of America's food supply - 140 million tons of food valued at more than $31 billion - goes to waste.
A variety of national, regional and local food manufacturers, brokers, wholesalers and retailers donate food to the Food Bank. Donated food includes overproduced or discontinued items, frozen foods, dairy products, miss-labeled goods, dented cans, day-old breads, pastries and odd sized produce.

We receive donations from America's Second Harvest, our national network of food banks based in Chicago. America's Second Harvest works with major food companies such as Kellogg's Nabisco, and Kraft to name a few. This organization is in constant contact with manufacturers to secure substantial donations on a regular basis. When America's Second Harvest is offered a donation, they immediately fax detailed information about the offer to the Food Bank. The Food Bank accepts the offer and handles the transportation of the product from the manufacturer to the Food Bank's warehouse. This scenario happens several times a week.

The Food Bank of Corpus Christi is also supported by donations from companies such as HEB, local bakeries, growers, shippers and others. We also concentrate on food drives throughout the year with various organizations such as HEB, KIII-TV, the Lions Club, the National Association of Letter Carriers, and the Boy Scouts participating. We occasionally work with the DEA and other who may come across loads of confiscated produce.

The Texas State Associating of Second Harvest Food Banks has contracted the Department of Corrections. Prisoners grow rows of fresh vegetables for Food Banks in Texas. The program is called "Second Chance" and is working well for all involved; inmates get valuable training and people in need receive a chance to better nutrition.