Operation Food Search

What Operation Food Search does

Operation Food Search is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1981 and headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, operating as Missouri's largest independent food bank. The organization distributes more than $32 million worth of food and necessities annually through a network of 600+ community partners spanning 25 counties in Missouri and Illinois, reaching more than 200,000 people each month and generating approximately 1.5 million human interactions per year through ~170 partner agencies. Its core programs include emergency food distribution via the Partner Agency Network, child nutrition programs (Operation Backpack across 366 school locations, Summer Meals at 36 sites, Afterschool ReFuel at 18 sites), the MetroMarket mobile farmers market, a farm gleaning program, the Nourishing Healthy Starts maternal-health initiative, and Fresh Rx food-as-medicine deliveries with healthcare partners. Operational technology includes conventional digital platforms (DonorPerfect for fundraising, Galaxy Digital for volunteer management, the Fresh Food Connect app, MetroMarket scheduling, and the Find Food map and Hunger Hotline) along with physical infrastructure spanning a renovated warehouse with doubled racking and expanded cold storage, indoor hydroponic growing systems, and a state-of-the-art teaching kitchen.

Revenue mechanics are diversified across individual donations (including the Hunger Healers monthly-giving program), corporate and foundation grants, food and fund drives, signature fundraising events (Feast for Change, Swing to Heal Hunger Golf Tournament, Party for Packs), in-kind food donations and gleaning rescues, government contracts (notably as a USDA Summer Food Service Program sponsor via the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services), and modest transaction revenue from Teaching Kitchen classes ($750 public / $375 nonprofit). The organization's $6-of-services-per-$1-donated leverage ratio, 6,583 volunteers contributing $1.38M in labor value, and 40+ years of accumulated donor and partner relationships form the operational backbone of its community-led, multi-program go-to-market model. The 2025 completion of the Healthy Food, Healthy Community Renovation — financed in part through New Markets Tax Credits from Heartland Regional Investment Fund, U.S. Bancorp Impact Finance, the St. Louis Economic Development Partnership, and Smith NMTC Associates, and supported by major gifts from Enterprise Mobility Foundation (>$1M), Berges Family Foundation ($500K-$999K), Bunge North America ($100K-$249K), and Big League Impact ($100K-$249K) — materially expanded capacity for the next phase of programming.

Name

Operation Food Search

Legal name

Operation Food Search Inc.

Website

https://operationfoodsearch.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1981

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Operation Food Search is Missouri's largest independent food bank, serving more than 200,000 people monthly across 25 counties in Missouri and Illinois through emergency food distribution, child nutrition programs, mobile farmers markets, gleaning, and food-as-medicine partnerships, distributing over $32 million of food annually.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Food Bank & Hunger Relief Services

NAICS

Community Food Services (62421)

SIC

Wholesale-Groceries, General Line (5141)

akta.pro primary industry

Food Assistance & Food Banks (BPAGAEAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Food Services Administration (Meal Eligibility, POS, Nutrition Compliance) (EDAJAHAJ), General Nutrition Coaching (HSADAFAA)

Keywords

• Food bank services
• Hunger relief programs
• Child nutrition meals
• Mobile farmers market
• Nutrition education

Headquarters

HQ city

St Louis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: OFS relies heavily on individual donations from the general public. Every $1 donated provides $6 worth of food and services due to leverage from food donor partnerships. Monthly giving program (Hunger Healers) provides recurring donations.
2. Corporate & Foundation Grants: Financial support from corporations (Enterprise Mobility Foundation, Bunge North America, Berges Family Foundation, Interco Charitable Trust, Jefferson Foundation, Orthwein Charitable Trust, and many others) and foundations. Grants and major gifts constitute a significant revenue stream.
3. Food & Fund Drives: Community-organized food and fund drives generate both food donations and cash contributions. In FY2025, food and fund drives brought in 266,626 pounds of food and $182,430 in monetary donations, totaling $670,356 in combined value.
4. Event Fundraising: Revenue generated from signature events including Feast for Change ($180,000+ in proceeds, 288 attendees in 2025), Swing to Heal Hunger Golf Tournament ($100,000+ proceeds in 2025), and Party for Packs ($50,000+ proceeds in 2025).
5. Food Rescue & In-Kind Donations: Food is collected from food drives, discounted purchases, and donations by the grocery industry, manufacturers, and distributors. OFS also recovers leftover prepared food from dining facilities at hospitals, universities, and sports venues. Surplus food from grocers and farms through gleaning represents substantial non-cash revenue.
6. Illinois Food Purchases: OFS purchased more than $700,000 in food from Illinois farmers and rescued 7,130 lbs of food at farms in Illinois as part of its Illinois strategy, supporting both the local food economy and OFS's food supply.
7. Government Contracts: OFS receives government funding through contracts with the Missouri Department of Health and Human Services for Summer Meals (USDA Summer Food Service Program), and serves as an SFSP sponsor. Federal and state advocacy efforts also channel public resources toward food security.
8. Teaching Kitchen & Group Classes: Revenue from group cooking classes: Make a Dish, Make a Difference group classes at $750 for public groups and $375 for nonprofits. These classes generate modest revenue while also providing free classes for people facing food insecurity.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels10 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Operation Food Search is a St. Louis-based nonprofit food bank that procures, rescues, and distributes more than $32 million worth of food and necessities annually through a network of more than 600 community partners across 24-25 counties in Missouri and Illinois, serving more than 200,000 people each month. Its offerings span a centralized warehouse distribution program to partner agencies, child nutrition programs (Operation Backpack, Summer Meals, Afterschool ReFuel), the MetroMarket mobile farmers market, nutrition education in a Teaching Kitchen, the OFS Garden Collective, gleaning and Fresh Food Connect produce rescue, and healthcare-integrated "Food is Medicine" programs including Nourishing Healthy Starts (maternal health) and Fresh Rx Community Nutrition.

Product overview

Operation Food Search is Missouri's largest independent food bank offering a multi-faceted hunger relief platform. The organization distributes more than $32 million worth of food annually through a network of more than 600 community partners across 24 Missouri and Illinois counties. The core product architecture consists of emergency food distribution programs (Partner Agency Network, Gleaning), child nutrition programs (Operation Backpack, Summer Meals, Afterschool ReFuel), fresh food access initiatives (MetroMarket mobile market, Fresh Food Connect app), nutrition education services (Teaching Kitchen, Community Nutrition), and specialized health programs (Nourishing Healthy Starts for pregnant women, Fresh Rx for individuals with diet-related health conditions). Supporting tools include the Find Food Map, Child Meal Map, and Hunger Hotline that connect individuals to food resources. The organization serves more than 200,000 people monthly, operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and was founded in 1981.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Operation Backpack Provides weekly sacks of kid-friendly, shelf-stable food to students to get them through weekends when school meals are not available. Distributed across 15 counties in Missouri and Illinois; in FY2025 served approximately 6,500 backpacks per week across 366 locations for 688,618 total weekend meals.
• Summer Meals USDA-funded Summer Food Service Program providing nutritious ready-to-eat meals to children 18 and under during summer months when school is not in session. Funded via contract with Missouri Department of Health and Human Services; in FY2025 served 58,864 meals at 36 partner locations (public libraries, summer day camps, recreation centers).
• Afterschool ReFuel After-school meal/snack program providing nutritious 'super snacks' at community locations including St. Louis County Library and St. Louis Public Library branches to help kids stay focused through afternoon and evening. In FY2025 served 56,321 meals at 18 community sites.
• MetroMarket Mobile Farmers Market Mobile farmers market that travels to communities with limited access to fresh, healthy food. Customers shop at significantly lower prices than retail grocers, with a self-serve purchasing model. In FY2025, 388 markets served 38,859 customers.
• Gleaning Program Rescues fresh produce from farms that would otherwise be unharvested or wasted, distributing it quickly to food-insecure families. In FY2025, 19 farm visits rescued 13,264 lbs of produce, supplementing the food supply chain.
• Nourishing Healthy Starts Program providing pregnant people and families with biweekly fresh produce and grocery boxes, monthly nutrition education classes, parent support groups, maternal health advocacy, and connections to community and medical resources. Since September 2023, more than 200 babies have been born to participants with nearly 90% at healthy birth weight.
• Fresh Rx: Community Nutrition Partnership program providing weekly bags of fresh food to homebound seniors and individuals receiving diabetes or hypertension medication through Greater Health Pharmacy. In FY2025, 2,694 boxes of fresh food were delivered to 1,649 individuals.
• Community Nutrition Education Nutrition education programs including hands-on cooking classes in a Teaching Kitchen with eight learning stations. Offers paid group classes ($750 for public groups up to 16 participants; $375 for nonprofits) while providing free classes to people facing food insecurity. Group classes fund a free class for food-insecure participants.
• Partner Agency Network (Food Distribution) Core food bank distribution program that supplies food free of charge to approximately 170-200 partner agencies (pantries, churches, shelters, and community sites) across 24-25 Missouri and Illinois counties. Partners then distribute food directly to food-insecure individuals and families, creating approximately 1.5 million human interactions each year.
• OFS Garden Collective Network supporting agency food partners in growing their own fresh produce through classes on composting, container growing, companion planting, and seed saving, in partnership with EarthDance Organic Farm School. Includes indoor hydroponic growing and outdoor plots at OFS.
• Fresh Food Connect (Produce Donation App) App-based program enabling home and community gardeners to donate a portion of their fresh grown produce to support local hunger relief efforts. Part of a network of 60 nonprofit food access organizations using the platform.

Quantifiable outcome

• 200,000+ people fed monthly across 25 counties in Missouri and Illinois
• +8 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core, secondary, supporting and major.

• EarthDance Organic Farm SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEarthDance is a key operational partner in the OFS Garden Collective, providing practical, regularly scheduled classes—both in-person and virtual—on topics like composting, container growing, companion planting, and seed saving to OFS's 170 agency food partners. Food grown at the OFS garden is distributed through Operation Food Search's Teaching Kitchen, MetroMarket, and other food access programs. This partnership advances OFS's goal of increasing fresh food access through community food systems.
• Greater Health PharmacycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGreater Health Pharmacy partners with OFS for the Fresh Rx: Community Nutrition program, providing weekly bags of fresh food to homebound seniors and individuals receiving diabetes or hypertension medication. In FY2025, 2,694 boxes of fresh food were delivered to 1,649 individuals through this partnership, integrating food access into healthcare delivery.
• Horizon Housing FoundationsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerHorizon Housing Foundation receives nutrition support through OFS's Nutrition Access program, providing nutritious food to the populations they serve.
• Barnes Jewish Hospital Ambulatory CliniccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBarnes Jewish Hospital Ambulatory Clinic partners with OFS for nutrition access solutions, providing fresh food to patients with diet-related health conditions through the Fresh Rx Community Nutrition program.
• Center for Families at St. Louis Children's HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Center for Families at St. Louis Children's Hospital partners with OFS to integrate food access into family healthcare services, receiving nutrition bundles and food delivery solutions for families served by the hospital.
• ArcturissupportingTechnology or IntegrationArcturis served as the project architect for the Healthy Food, Healthy Community Renovation Project, designing OFS's expanded facility including warehouse, teaching kitchen, volunteer center, and garden spaces.
• ParicsupportingOthersParic served as the general contractor for the Healthy Food, Healthy Community Renovation Project, constructing OFS's expanded facility.
• SSM Health DePaul HospitalmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSSM Health DePaul Hospital partnered with OFS to create a video library sharing information about healthy food choices with people who may be food insecure or working to make healthy choices on a budget. This partnership supports OFS's nutrition education mission and healthy eating resources.
• Missouri Department of Health and Senior ServicescoreOthersOFS maintains a contract with the Missouri Department of Health and Human Services to facilitate the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), purchasing and delivering meals to organizations serving children during summer. Additionally, OFS uses child meal site data listed by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.
• USDA (United States Department of Agriculture)coreOthersOFS is a sponsor of the USDA Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), which ensures children receive nutritious meals when school is not in session. OFS also uses USDA equal opportunity provider designation for its Summer Meals program.
• Sioux Honey Co-op / Sue Bee HoneysupportingOthersThe Sioux Honey Co-op and Dierbergs Markets donated 2.5 tons (4,860 pounds) of Sue Bee honey to Operation Food Search in March 2026 as part of the co-op's 'Sharing Sweetness' initiative. This is part of OFS's ongoing food donation partnerships with grocers and food manufacturers.
• Dierbergs MarketssupportingOthersDierbergs Markets partnered with Sioux Honey Co-op to donate 2.5 tons of Sue Bee honey to OFS in March 2026. As a regional grocery chain, Dierbergs is part of OFS's food donor network supporting food rescue and redistribution.
• Lee's Famous Recipe Chicken and Hotshots Sports Bar & GrillsupportingOthersLocal restaurants Lee's Famous Recipe Chicken and Hotshots Sports Bar & Grill partnered with Coca-Cola to support OFS through the 'Countdown to Thanksgiving' food collection effort, helping gather food donations from the restaurant community ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday.
• Coca-ColasupportingOthersCoca-Cola partnered with local restaurants (Lee's Famous Recipe Chicken, Hotshots Sports Bar & Grill) to support OFS's 'Countdown to Thanksgiving' food collection effort. Coca-Cola's brand partnership and marketing support helped amplify the campaign.
• Fresh Food Connect (National Network)supportingOthersFresh Food Connect is an app enabling home and community gardeners to donate fresh produce. OFS is part of a network of 60 nonprofit food access and hunger relief organizations across the country using this platform to create a market for homegrown food in the fight against hunger.
• United Way 2-1-1supportingOthersOFS refers individuals affected by the government shutdown and other crises to United Way 2-1-1 for help with housing, utilities, healthcare, and other services. This is part of OFS's resource hub connecting people to comprehensive support services.

Scale indicators18 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Feeding America: The national network of 200+ food banks; OFS is explicitly noted as an independent food bank (not a Feeding America member). Comparable in mission and program mix (food distribution, child nutrition, advocacy) at vastly greater national scale.

Direct peers

• St. Louis Area Foodbank: The other major food bank serving the St. Louis metropolitan region, distributing food through a similar partner agency model to food-insecure individuals and families. Directly comparable as the most prominent co-regional food bank competitor/peer.
• Rise Against Hunger: International hunger relief organization with comparable meal distribution, volunteer mobilization, and food rescue programs. Comparable in mission and operational model.
• No Kid Hungry (Share Our Strength): National campaign focused on childhood hunger — directly comparable to OFS's Operation Backpack, Summer Meals, and Afterschool ReFuel programs in target population and policy advocacy approach.
• Second Harvest Community Food Bank: Regional food bank with similar mix of partner agency distribution, mobile pantries, child nutrition programs, and nutrition education. Direct comparable on program architecture and nonprofit food bank operations.

Emerging players

• World Central Kitchen: Disaster-focused food relief organization that OFS has actively partnered with (e.g., 2026 federal shutdown TSA officer meal coordination). Comparable in emergency response and direct meal service but different primary mission (disaster relief vs. ongoing food insecurity).

Regional players

• Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana: Midwestern regional food bank with comparable partner agency distribution model, child nutrition programming, and Fresh Food Connect-style gleaning. Useful comparable for evaluating per-region operating efficiency.
• Foodbank of the Ozarks: Regional food bank serving southwestern Missouri, comparable in scope and programming to OFS but operating in a different geographic territory. Useful peer for benchmarking Midwestern food bank operations.

Others

• MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger: National anti-hunger advocacy and funding organization that has directly funded OFS ($70K in 2019). Comparable in food security advocacy but operates as a grantmaker/advocate rather than direct service provider.
• Fresh Food Connect: Technology platform partner enabling home/community gardeners to donate produce, of which OFS is part of a 60-organization national network. Adjacent enabling technology peer in food rescue and gleaning space.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/opfoodsearch
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCkQkl6zHn_8Aq3sJTKTaR_A
• Facebookfacebook.com/OpFoodSearch
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/operation-food-search
• Instagraminstagram.com/opfoodsearch

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds4 records

Investors5 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Operation Food Search