PROGRAMS THAT FEED OUR COMMUNITY

At OIFB, you’ll receive a warm welcome, fresh produce and protein, much of it locally grown or raised, and foods that suit customers of all ages, ethnicities, and dietary requirements — all at no charge. 

On first visit, customers are asked to register with their name and address and to self-declare that they meet the income qualification. No proof of citizenship, legal residency, or SSN is requested. Even a customer who prefers not to register receives food.

See Customer Info page here under "Important Info."

Thanks to grant funding and private donations, we can source fresh produce and local meat from farms in San Juan County. These purchases help to further the resiliency of our agricultural community here on Orcas Island and throughout the San Juan and promote fresh, nutritious, and humanely raised food options. 

"Eating is an Agricultural Act"  

Wendell Berry

Started eight years ago by a concerned parent in the community who acknowledged, along with the public school, that many kids rely heavily on school-supplied meals and that the weekend was a two-day gap in their food supply. Today the food bank manages this program and works hard to supply items that are tasty, nutritious, and socially empowering. The WPY program provides, shelf-stable, easy-to-prepare weekend food to K-12 students at no cost — enough for two breakfasts, lunches, and snacks. It is a collaborative effort of the Food Bank, the Orcas Island School District, and local markets.

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Hundreds of pounds of delicious local fruit are gleaned seasonally by volunteers, staff, and generous property owners. The San Juan Islands abound with native varietals of apples, pears, and plums — Kings and 20-oz Pippins to name a few. Come join us for one of our cider press events where we turn this amazing fruit into fresh island cider, or grab a box to take home for baking projects and school lunches!  

To have your fruit trees or vegetable crops gleaned or to volunteer to glean, please contact call 360.317.6958 and speak with our Director. 

We have been working hard at getting more teens in the door during their lunch breaks, as well as coming in for an after-school snack. At the beginning of the school year we gave a presentation to the Orcas Island High School to educate them about social services, and how the Food Bank ties into this and into their lives. We encourage ALL teens to stop by the food bank to grab a snack or a lunch item.   Click here for more...

As part of our ongoing goal to foster a more equitable food system on the island, we offer a variety of products that honor different household food cultures and specific dietary needs. This includes but is not limited to Hispanic food products; gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan options; and food items for customers with limited or no kitchen access. For example, we have a variety of microwavable meals that we heat for customers who come in looking for something hot to eat.

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Orcas Island Market, the Orcas Food Co-op, and other local food distributers help close the gap on food waste by donating damaged, expired, or surplus goods to our organization. We then can offer all quality products back to islanders, and anything not suitable for people to happy pigs and chickens on local farms. This is an important way we can work together to contribute to a food system that will sustain and honor all forms of life here on Orcas Island!

The Ashland Food Project created a door-to-door system with their neighbors to collect non-perishable food items every two months (even-numbered months). In October 2021, we launched our own Orcas Food Project. 

Current Shopping List

And

Here's how it works!

Our volunteer program is powered by a dedicated team of more than 40 volunteers who help keep the Orcas Island Food Bank running each and every week. From greeting customers and bagging groceries to sorting produce, stocking shelves, packing pet food, and keeping our spaces clean and welcoming, our volunteers are at the heart of everything we do. They also help support our Teen Tent, assist with special projects like making popcorn in the summer, pressing apples in the fall, and so much more.

The Orcas Island Food Bank partners with local island organizations to deliver fresh groceries to community members who are homebound or unable to visit the food bank. Each Thursday, staff and volunteers pack and distribute bags that reflect the week’s available offerings. Deliveries typically include fresh produce, a protein option, dairy products, pantry staples, kid-friendly snacks, and a variety of additional items, ensuring customers receive nutritious, well-rounded support from the comfort of their homes.