Chattanooga Area Food Bank

What Chattanooga Area Food Bank does

The Chattanooga Area Food Bank is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established in 1972 (one source cites 1973) and headquartered at 2009 Curtain Pole Road in Chattanooga, Tennessee. It operates as a regional Feeding America affiliate distributing food to approximately 180,000 food-insecure individuals across a 20-county service area spanning Southeast Tennessee (11 counties) and Northwest Georgia (9 counties). In the most recent reporting year it provided 16.9 million meals, processed 45,890 food boxes at its Foxwood Food Center guest-choice pantry, and assisted with 1,547 SNAP applications. Its core operations combine direct service (Foxwood Food Center, mobile pantries, senior home delivery, children's weekend/summer programs, disaster relief) with a distributed channel model — a network of 200+ vetted partner agencies (churches, schools, community organizations) and 87 retail grocery rescue partners that collectively moved 6.3 million pounds of rescued food in 2025. The organization maintains 56,000 sq ft of warehouse space across three locations in two states, a 17-vehicle fleet, and a senior team led by President & CEO Melissa Blevins with five additional C-suite officers (COO, CFO, CDO, CIO, CCO) plus a Director of Data Insights & Innovation.

The food bank's technology footprint is intentionally lean and SaaS-based rather than proprietary: it uses an interactive web-based Food Map for recipients to locate pantries, the Vivery Food Map Manager platform for partner-managed location data, VolunteerHub for volunteer scheduling, and Canva for Nonprofits for marketing collateral. There is no in-house software development, no AI/ML capabilities, and no patents. Distribution mechanics rest on physical assets (three warehouses, refrigerated trucks, mobile pantry vehicles), procurement relationships through Feeding America's bulk-purchasing network, food rescue from 87 retail grocers, surplus crop donations from regional farmers, and federal nutrition programs (TEFAP, SNAP, WIC). A dedicated public benefits team performs SNAP eligibility screening, application assistance, and recertification support.

Revenue mechanics are donation-driven across four streams: individual giving (one-time, monthly recurring, stock, crypto, planned/endowment), corporate sponsorships and employer matching, foundation grants (Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga, United Way), and in-kind food procurement (retailer rescue, farmer surplus, federal programs). Recipients receive services free of charge; donors transact at impact-unit price points ($2 = 5 meals; 94 cents of every donated dollar goes to food distribution). Operating geographies are explicitly regional with no international footprint. The organization is independently governed by a Board of Directors and is not owned by, controlled by, or financially consolidated with Feeding America.

Name

Chattanooga Area Food Bank

Legal name

Chattanooga Area Food Bank

Website

https://chattfoodbank.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1973

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Chattanooga Area Food Bank is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and Feeding America affiliate that distributes food to 180,000 food-insecure individuals across 20 counties in Southeast Tennessee and Northwest Georgia via a guest-choice pantry, mobile pantries, senior and children's programs, disaster relief, and a 200+ partner-agency network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Hunger Relief and Food Distribution Services

NAICS

Community Food Services (62421)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Food Assistance & Food Banks (BPAGAEAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Food Assistance & Nutrition Relief (Emergency Feeding) (BPAGAAAD), Child Nutrition & Meal Programs (CACFP/Snack Programs) (EDACAMAA), Community-Owned / Nonprofit Grocery Stores (CRAHALAB)

Keywords

• Food bank services
• Hunger relief programs
• Food distribution
• Mobile pantry services
• SNAP assistance programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Chattanooga

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Monetary donations from individuals via one-time gifts, monthly recurring donations, stock donations, cryptocurrency, and memorial/honor gifts. $2 provides groceries for 5 meals.
2. Corporate Sponsorships & Partnerships: Corporate partners sponsor events, campaigns, and special initiatives. Includes employer matching programs and event sponsorship.
3. Endowment Gifts: Planned giving through endowment funds for Tennessee and Georgia operations ensuring long-term sustainability
4. Food Rescue & Procurement: Food sourced through donations from retailers, manufacturers, farmers; retail food rescue program; government nutrition programs (TEFAP, SNAP, WIC); and bulk purchasing partnerships with Feeding America network

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Chattanooga Area Food Bank is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit hunger-relief organization that sources, sorts, and distributes millions of pounds of nutritious food annually across a 20-county service area in Southeast Tennessee and Northwest Georgia. Its core offerings include a grocery-store-style choice pantry (Foxwood Food Center), mobile pantry distributions, a network of 200+ partner agencies, and specialized programs for children, seniors, and disaster-affected households, complemented by SNAP/WIC public benefits assistance. Food is provided free of charge to recipients and is funded through individual donations, corporate sponsorships, grants, food rescue from 87 retail partners, and Feeding America network procurement.

Product overview

The Chattanooga Area Food Bank operates as a comprehensive hunger-relief network providing food, resources, and connection across 20 counties in Southeast Tennessee and Northwest Georgia. The organization functions as a unified platform combining multiple distribution channels: a grocery-store-style choice pantry (Foxwood Food Center), mobile pantry distributions, a network of 200+ partner agencies, school-based children's programs, senior-specific assistance, community garden initiatives, and disaster relief services. The food bank also provides public benefits navigation (SNAP/WIC assistance) and operates an interactive food map for locating resources. Volunteer operations are managed through an online scheduling platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Foxwood Food Center: A grocery-store-style food pantry that champions a guest-choice model of food assistance, prioritizing the dignity of those who visit.

Products and services

• Foxwood Food Center A grocery-store-style food pantry implementing a guest-choice model where visitors receive a box of pantry staples and then select additional items including bread, produce, dairy, and meat. Open to all neighbors who can receive food every 30 days, prioritizing dignity in food assistance.
• Mobile Pantries Food distributions organized at schools, community centers, senior centers, and places of worship to deliver groceries directly to communities facing hunger, particularly serving rural communities with limited grocery access and families without transportation.
• Hunger Relief Network (Partner Agencies) A network of over 200 partner organizations including food pantries, senior centers, community programs, urban and community gardens, and children's programs distributed across 20 counties in the service area. Partners receive food from the food bank to distribute in their local communities.
• Children's Programs (Sack Packs & Summer Bags) Weekend and summer food programs for children facing food insecurity, distributing child-friendly foods like pop-top meals, cereals, granola bars, juice, and fruit, along with in-school pantries available to whole families.
• Senior Programs Programs ensuring older adults have reliable access to healthy groceries including home delivery for mobility-challenged seniors, mobile pantry distributions, and community meals at local organizations.
• Garden Programs On-site garden growing fresh produce for the Foxwood Food Center, seedling distribution to community gardens, and hands-on gardening workshops. Supports a network of school and community gardens with materials, labor, and seedlings.
• Disaster Relief Emergency food assistance for communities affected by storms, floods, fires, and other emergency situations, collaborating with first responders, Feeding America network food banks, and community organizations.
• Food Map / Find Food Near You Interactive map tool allowing users to locate nearby pantries, view hours, understand what to expect at each location, and find additional help resources across the 20-county service area.
• Public Benefits Assistance Assistance helping neighbors access SNAP, WIC, and other critical benefits including eligibility screening, application help, recertification support, and connections to additional resources like housing, healthcare, and rent assistance.

Quantifiable outcome

• 16.9 million meals provided to families last year
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Feeding AmericacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational food bank network providing access to bulk purchasing partnerships, disaster relief coordination, shared resources, and best practices. The Chattanooga Area Food Bank is a member of this network which enables access to national manufacturer and producer partnerships.
• 200+ Community Partner OrganizationscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNetwork of churches, nonprofits, schools, and community organizations that receive food from the food bank to distribute in their local communities across 20 counties. Partners must be 501(c)3 organizations with established budgets.
• Feeding America (Disaster Relief Network)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with fellow Feeding America network food banks during emergency situations to source and direct additional resources to those affected by disasters.
• Local Farmers and ProducerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional farmers and producers who strengthen relationships to provide fresh, local food. Includes farm-to-pantry distribution initiatives and food waste reduction through surplus crop donations.
• Retail Grocery StorescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner87 retail store partnerships in 20-county service area for food rescue program. Grocers donate surplus product to prevent food waste and feed neighbors in need.
• Cleveland High SchoolminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational institution partner hosting in-school pantry as resource for students and families experiencing homelessness or food insecurity.
• Community Foundation of Greater ChattanoogacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor philanthropic partner providing grant support and helping sustain frontline staff during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Food CityminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRegional grocery retailer corporate sponsor supporting food bank operations and events.
• Crown SubaruminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor supporting food bank initiatives and events.
• Builtwell BankminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRegional bank corporate sponsor supporting food bank mission.
• HamicominorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor listed among supporters of food bank operations.
• WhiteboardminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor supporting food bank initiatives.
• United WaycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor community partner providing $600,000 in funding to organizations including food bank through helpline referrals and community support programs.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Atlanta Community Food Bank: Feeding America network food bank serving the Metro Atlanta and North Georgia region with a similar mix of partner agency distribution, mobile pantries, and direct service programs. Closest regional peer given overlapping Northwest Georgia service area.
• Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee: Regional Feeding America food bank operating across 18 counties in East Tennessee with analogous partner-agency distribution model, direct-service pantries, and child/senior feeding programs. Direct functional peer in the same state.
• Middle Tennessee Food Bank: Feeding America network food bank serving 46 counties in Middle and West Tennessee. Operates similar direct-service and partner-agency models with comparable programs (mobile pantries, senior/children programs, SNAP outreach).

Broad incumbents

• Feeding America: National umbrella network of 200+ food banks. As a member of this network, CAFB benefits from shared purchasing, branding, and disaster coordination; the parent network is the closest broad incumbent in the same category.

Regional players

• Food Bank of the Rockies: Large Feeding America regional food bank serving Colorado and Wyoming. Comparable operational model (mobile pantries, partner agencies, choice pantries) but operates in a different geography.
• Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana: Feeding America regional food bank serving 21 counties in Indiana with similar partner-agency and direct-distribution model. Operates in a different region but is comparable in scale and program mix.
• Meals on Wheels of Chattanooga: Local nonprofit providing home-delivered meals to homebound seniors in the Chattanooga area. Adjacent in mission (senior food access) and shares geographic footprint, though uses a prepared-meal delivery model rather than grocery distribution.

Emerging players

• No Kid Hungry: Share Our Strength's national campaign focused specifically on ending childhood hunger through school meals, summer feeding, and SNAP outreach. Overlaps meaningfully with CAFB's children's programs (Sack Packs, Summer Bags) and school pantry work.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/chattfoodbank
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@chattanoogaareafoodbank
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/chattanooga-area-food-bank
• Facebookfacebook.com/chattfoodbank

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Chattanooga Area Food Bank