Houston Food Bank

What Houston Food Bank does

Houston Food Bank is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization founded in 1982 and headquartered in Houston, Texas, that aggregates, warehouses, and distributes food to individuals and families facing food insecurity across an 18-county service area in Southeast Texas. Operating from a 308,000-square-foot facility at 535 Portwall Street, the organization runs programs including Backpack Buddy (school-weekend food for children), the Senior Box Program (monthly boxes for residents 60+), Medically Tailored Meals, Kids Cafe, School Market, the Community Assistance Program (SNAP, TANF, CHIP enrollment), and disaster-relief distribution under USDA authorization. It coordinates a network of 1,600+ community partner agencies and uses mobile distribution units and Community Resource Centers (including the Trinity River location) to reach recipients, while also delivering culturally appropriate food through a Cultural Awareness Initiative.

Revenue is generated entirely through donations, grants, and fundraising events rather than pricing of services. Streams include individual giving (with a $1 = 12 meals conversion metric and the "Faithful Friends" monthly program), foundation and corporate grants (e.g., Amerigroup Foundation $450,000; Superior HealthPlan/Centene Foundation $400,000), corporate sponsorships (HEB, Walmart, Chevron, Sysco, Shell), annual events (Houston Restaurant Weeks, Empty Bowls Houston, Freedom Over Texas, The Reggie and Ron Radiothon), and federal USDA funding via TEFAP — the last of which is currently facing an $11 million reduction. Distribution flows through the partner-agency network, mobile units, resource centers, school-based programs, and Food-as-Medicine healthcare partnerships, with advocacy and volunteer mobilization (Advocacy Council, Texans At Every Table, 100K Volunteers in 2026) supplementing direct service.

Houston Food Bank is governed independently (President & CEO Brian Greene) and holds a 4-star Charity Navigator rating, Candid Seal of Transparency, BBB Pinnacle Award (2025), and membership in Feeding America and Feeding Texas. The technology stack is light — a mobile app, volunteer platform, donor CRM, and basic website — with no proprietary AI or software product disclosed. Strategic emphasis in 2025-2026 centers on scaling Food-as-Medicine and healthcare partnerships, expanding mobile SNAP enrollment, and offsetting federal funding contraction through corporate and event-driven fundraising.

Name

Houston Food Bank

Legal name

Houston Food Bank

Website

https://houstonfoodbank.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1982

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Houston Food Bank is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that aggregates and distributes food across 18 Southeast Texas counties via 1,600+ partner agencies, mobile units, and resource centers, serving food-insecure children, families, and seniors while running SNAP enrollment and disaster-relief programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Hunger Relief and Food Assistance Services

NAICS

Community Food Services (62421), Community Food Services (624210), Community Food and Housing, and Emergency and Other Relief Services (6242)

akta.pro primary industry

Food Assistance & Food Banks (BPAGAEAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Food & Nutrition Assistance Programs (BPAIAKAF), Meal Program Compliance & Administration (NSLP/SBP, Reimbursements) (EDAEAEAC), Food Services Administration (Meal Eligibility, POS, Nutrition Compliance) (EDAJAHAJ)

Keywords

• Food bank services
• Hunger relief programs
• Food distribution network
• Nutrition assistance
• Community food support

Headquarters

HQ city

Houston

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Individual donors contribute funds through one-time or recurring donations. Every $1 donated helps provide 12 meals. Monthly giving program called 'Faithful Friends' provides sustainable funding.
2. Foundation and Corporate Grants: Healthcare organizations and foundations provide grants for specific programs. Examples include $450,000 from Amerigroup Foundation for Food as Medicine program, and $400,000 from Superior HealthPlan and Centene Foundation.
3. Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate sponsors support the organization through financial contributions and in-kind donations. Major sponsors include HEB, Walmart, Chevron, Sysco, and Shell.
4. Fundraising Events: Annual events generate donations including Houston Restaurant Weeks ($1,651,698 raised in 2025), Empty Bowls Houston (20th annual event), Freedom Over Texas, and The Reggie and Ron Radiothon.
5. Federal USDA Funding: The organization receives federal commodities and funding through USDA programs including The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), though facing $11 million in cuts.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Houston Food Bank collects, warehouses, and distributes food to individuals and families facing food insecurity across an 18-county service area in Southeast Texas. It operates a 308,000-square-foot distribution facility supported by a network of 1,600+ community partner agencies, mobile distribution units, and community resource centers. The organization also administers benefit enrollment assistance (SNAP, TEFAP), nutrition education, medically tailored meals, and disaster relief food distributions.

Product overview

Houston Food Bank operates as a food bank network providing food assistance through multiple coordinated programs. The organization offers direct food distribution programs (Backpack Buddy, Senior Box Program, School Market), benefit enrollment assistance (Community Assistance Program/CAP with SNAP, TANF, CHIP support), health-focused initiatives (Medically Tailored Meals, Nutrition & Health Promotion, Kids Cafe), and community engagement (Food For Change, Texans At Every Table, Cultural Awareness Initiative). Services are delivered through a network of 1,600+ community partners across an 18-county service area in Southeast Texas, with additional support through mobile units, the Houston Food Bank App, and physical resource centers including the Trinity River Community Resource Center.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Backpack Buddy Provides food for children in schools to combat childhood hunger outside of school hours. Targets children from low-income families who may lack food access over weekends and holidays.

Quantifiable outcome

• $1 helps provide 12 meals
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Zero Waste HoustonminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 April 2026Sustainability partnership continuing efforts to reduce waste. February efforts alone created 13,533.30 lbs. of compost from food waste diversion.
• Wellpoint (formerly Amerigroup)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 31 March 202630-year partnership strengthening community health through Food as Medicine program. Wellpoint has been helping improve health outcomes for communities facing food insecurity.
• Episcopal Health FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2025Partnering with 12 community collaboratives representing 29 counties for 2025-26 Collaborating for Healthy Communities Initiative (CHCI) cohort, focusing on food and nutrition security.
• Feeding AmericacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational network membership providing support, resources, and coordination for food bank operations across the United States.
• Feeding TexascoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState association membership providing advocacy, training, and resources for Texas food banks.
• Houston Restaurant WeekscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual fundraising campaign produced by The Cleverley Stone Foundation. 2025 campaign generated $1,651,698 donation to Houston Food Bank.
• Mrs Baird's BreadminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSixth annual Fighting Texas Hunger campaign partnership with KHOU-11. Campaign spots air throughout June raising awareness and encouraging donations.
• KHOU-11minorGTM or Marketing PartnerMedia partnership for Fighting Texas Hunger campaign and general news coverage.
• Sports Radio 610 AMminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHosting The Reggie and Ron Radiothon benefiting Houston Food Bank. Second annual event on July 3, 2026.
• Houston Eviction Advocacy CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-hosting lunch and learn events about evictions with Keep Harris Housed Coalition.
• Kinder Institute for Urban ResearchminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-convened 2026 Community Health Summit focused on advancing health equity through food access.
• Braver Angels HoustonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFishbowl Conversations collaboration to foster dialog about ongoing issues of food insecurity and rising costs.
• Diabetes Awareness and Wellness Network (DAWN Center)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner organization providing health and wellness education to neighbors, including diabetes awareness programs.
• North Texas Food BankminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFellow food bank in Texas network, listed together in distribution schedules across Texas.
• Central Texas Food BankminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFellow food bank in Texas network, listed together in distribution schedules across Texas.
• Catholic Charities DallasminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner organization operating food pantries and hot meal services in Dallas area.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• North Texas Food Bank: Fellow Texas Feeding America member food bank serving the Dallas–Fort Worth region with a comparable partner-agency distribution model. Already co-listed with Houston Food Bank in statewide distribution schedules, making it the most directly comparable peer in scale, structure, and program mix.
• Central Texas Food Bank: Austin-based Feeding America member food bank operating a similar hub-and-spoke distribution model across central Texas. Operates comparable programs (SNAP enrollment, mobile pantries, school-based feeding) and competes for the same statewide philanthropic and corporate sponsors.
• San Antonio Food Bank: Major Texas food bank serving a multi-county area with comparable partner-agency distribution and USDA program administration. Overlapping service geography and donor base in Texas, with similar product offerings including nutrition education and SNAP outreach.
• Food Bank of New York City: One of the largest U.S. food banks by volume, serving New York City's five boroughs. Comparable mission, partner-agency model, and urban service scale, with similarly diversified funding (corporate, foundation, government).
• Los Angeles Regional Food Bank: Large Feeding America member serving Los Angeles County with partner-agency distribution and similar program mix (SNAP, mobile pantries, senior programs). Operates at a comparable scale and faces similar urban food insecurity dynamics.
• Gleaners Community Food Bank: Michigan-based Feeding America member food bank operating a comparable distribution and partner-agency network. Similar program portfolio including SNAP outreach and nutrition education, providing a useful benchmark for peer operating efficiency.

Broad incumbents

• Feeding America: National umbrella network of which Houston Food Bank is a member. Not a direct operational competitor, but sets programmatic standards, channels national donations, and coordinates federal advocacy — making it both an enabling platform and a quasi-incumbent for large-scale food banking strategy.
• Feeding Texas: State association of Texas food banks providing advocacy, training, and grant coordination. Operates one layer above Houston Food Bank, distributing state-level resources and shaping the competitive landscape for member food banks.
• Meals on Wheels America: National nonprofit focused on senior meal delivery, overlapping with Houston Food Bank's Senior Box Program and Food as Medicine vertical. While a different service model (direct home delivery vs. partner-agency distribution), it competes for senior-focused funding and healthcare partnerships.

Emerging players

• Food Recovery Network: National nonprofit recovering surplus food from college campuses and businesses. Operates adjacent to Houston Food Bank's Red Barrels and bulk-retail donation programs; represents an emerging, technology-enabled alternative to traditional food bank aggregation.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/HoustonFoodBank
• YouTubeyoutube.com/HoustonFoodBank
• Facebookfacebook.com/thehoustonfoodbank
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/houstonfoodbank
• Instagraminstagram.com/houstonfoodbank
• TikToktiktok.com/@houstonfoodbank

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds3 records

Investors3 records

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Houston Food Bank