The Food System
Channel One Regional Food Bank helps those facing food insecurity through an efficient system of collection and distribution of food and non-food items to non-profit agency partners in our region.
In order to provide food to those facing food insecurity in our region, Channel One Regional Food Bank takes in millions of pounds of surplus food from the food industry. That food is then distributed through our network of over 100 member agencies. In 2024, Channel One Regional Food Bank distributed approximately 18.9 million pounds of food through the hunger relief network that serves 14 counties in southeast Minnesota and western Wisconsin. The volume of this hunger relief work would not be possible without the generous support from our many donors in the region.
Counties Served
Faribault, Waseca, Rice, Goodhue, Wabasha, Steele, Dodge, Olmsted, Freeborn, Mower, Fillmore, Winona, and Houston counties in Minnesota and La Crosse County in Wisconsin.
Channel One is a certified member of Feeding America
Our membership as part of this important national hunger relief organization ensures that we are meeting requirements for safe, efficient, and expedient food distribution. Channel One is one of six Feeding America food banks in Minnesota.
About our Agency Partners
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Food Shelves & Pantries
While Channel One has its own food shelf supporting residents of Olmsted County and runs several mobile pantries for communities with limited access to food, we also provide items from our food bank to food shelves and pantries in all 14 counties across our region. Food shelves and pantries distribute food and non-food essentials directly to those facing food insecurity.
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Emergency Programs: Shelters & Soup Kitchens
Emergency meal programs, such as those in shelters and at soup kitchens, typically provide prepared meals and hot food items to those facing food insecurity. Channel One distributes the raw ingredients to these emergency programs in order to create prepared meals, but we also occasionally work with these programs to provide people with emergency groceries, as well.
Becoming an Agency Partner
To learn more about strengthening food access and building healthy communities by becoming an agency partner with Channel One, contact Jennifer Belisle, Programs and Agency Services Director, at [email protected]
