NourishMKE

What NourishMKE does

NourishMKE is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, that operates community-based food centers to address local food insecurity. Founded in 1999 as Friedens Food Pantries and later rebranded to NourishMKE, the organization runs four physical food centers — Cherry, Mitchell, Orchard, and Fond du Lac — alongside a Home Delivery program serving homebound clients. In its most recent reporting year, NourishMKE served more than 59,000 people and distributed over 1 million pounds of food, of which roughly 300,000 pounds were rescued from grocery partners through formal food-recovery arrangements.

The organization’s core operations combine food rescue, government food assistance distribution (notably TEFAP), and direct client-choice pantry models across its centers, with last-mile delivery extending reach to mobility-limited households. NourishMKE runs on a lean paid staff of 1–10 employees, supported by a volunteer network of more than 2,500 individuals, yielding a low marginal cost per pound distributed. Revenue mechanics are characteristic of a mid-sized food bank: individual and corporate charitable donations, TEFAP and other government food/funding programs, community fundraising events, and planned giving, supplemented by significant in-kind food inventory sourced from grocery and supply-chain partners.

NourishMKE sits inside a broader regional food-security ecosystem, with institutional ties to Feeding America, Hunger Task Force, USDA, and AmeriCorps, and operational partnerships with major grocery chains including Outpost, Trader Joe's, Costco, Aldi, and Sendiks. The organization is also building food-as-medicine partnerships with regional healthcare systems, positioning clinical referral and outcomes as a potential next-phase growth vector. Recent capital deployment has focused on facility consolidation: the Vliet Food Center relocated to Cherry Street in April 2025, followed by the grand opening of the new Cherry Food Center on June 13, 2025.

Name

NourishMKE

Legal name

NourishMKE

Website

https://nourishmke.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

NourishMKE is a Milwaukee-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating four community food centers and a Home Delivery program, serving over 59,000 people annually with more than 1 million pounds of food distributed, including rescued grocery inventory, supported by a large volunteer network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Food Assistance Services

NAICS

Community Food Services (62421)

akta.pro primary industry

Food Assistance & Food Banks (BPAGAEAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Food & Nutrition Assistance Programs (BPAIAKAF)

Keywords

• Community food centers
• Free grocery distribution
• Food rescue services
• Nutrition education programs
• Food bank services

Headquarters

HQ city

Milwaukee

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Individual and Corporate Donations: Tax-deductible donations from individuals and businesses. NourishMKE is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
2. Government Food Programs (TEFAP): The Emergency Food Assistance Program federal funds distributed through Wisconsin Department of Health Services at Orchard, Cherry, and Fond du Lac locations.
3. Empty Bowls Fundraising Event: Annual event raising over $70,000 to stock local food pantries. Over 1,500 bowls crafted by 60+ artists.
4. Planned Giving and Legacy Gifts: Bequests, appreciated securities, beneficiary designations, and endowment gifts.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

NourishMKE operates the largest network of community food centers in Milwaukee, distributing free groceries via a choice model at four physical locations (Orchard, Fond du Lac, Cherry, Mitchell) across five days per week. Programs include a food rescue operation recovering over 300,000 lbs annually from local grocers and farms, a home delivery service for homebound individuals in specific zip codes, nutrition education with bilingual recipe demonstrations, indoor hydroponic and outdoor community gardens, and supplemental distribution of diapers, period products, USDA stock boxes for seniors 60+, and socks.

Product overview

NourishMKE is a nonprofit food bank organization operating as the largest network of community food centers in Milwaukee. The organization provides free food distribution through four physical food center locations (Cherry, Mitchell, Orchard, and Fond du Lac), supplemented by a home delivery program for homebound individuals. The core offering includes a choice-based grocery model where clients select foods to meet their needs, supported by additional services such as food rescue operations, nutrition education with bilingual programming, indoor hydroponic and outdoor community gardening, and an annual Empty Bowls fundraising event featuring artisan bowls and soup tastings. The organization also distributes supplemental items including diapers, period products, socks, and USDA stock boxes.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Groceries & Food Distribution Free grocery distribution using a choice model at four locations, offering fresh produce, non-perishables, dairy, meat, and whole grains. Additional services include diapers, infant needs, period products, stock boxes, and socks.
• Food Rescue Program Food rescue operations that recover food from local grocers, growers, and businesses. Rescues over 300,000 lbs annually of nutritionally quality food unsuitable for retail due to damaged packaging or produce imperfections.
• Home Delivery Program Monthly grocery delivery service for homebound individuals meeting eligibility criteria including disability, health conditions, and residency in service zip codes. Currently at capacity and not accepting new applications.
• Nutrition & Gardening Program Food education programming with weekly bilingual recipe demonstrations, indoor hydroponic tower gardens, and outdoor community gardens allowing guests to experience the full food lifecycle from growing to composting.
• Block Parties Community events held the last Saturdays of June, July, and August featuring food, music, art, and connections for well-being at 1615 S. 22nd Street.
• Empty Bowls Event Annual fundraising event featuring handcrafted artisan bowls, chef-made soup tastings from local restaurants, live entertainment, and a silent auction. Raises over $70,000 annually to support food pantries.

Quantifiable outcome

• 59,000+ people served annually
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

26 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Feeding AmericacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFood bank partnership providing sourced food for distribution through NourishMKE's food centers.
• Hunger Task ForcecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal food bank partner. Distributes TEFAP foods and Stock Boxes at Orchard, Cherry, and Fond du Lac locations.
• FroedtertcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare partner providing resources and referrals for food-insecure patients.
• Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare partner providing resources and community health connections.
• Children's HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare partner supporting families with children experiencing food insecurity.
• AscensioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare system partner providing community health resources and referrals.
• Milwaukee Public LibrariesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity resource partner providing referrals and support services.
• The League of Women VotersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity organization partner providing civic engagement resources.
• VersitiminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare partner providing blood center and community health services.
• Outpost Natural Foods Co-opcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGrocery partner rescuing food that would otherwise go to waste for distribution at food centers.
• Trader Joe'scoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGrocery partner rescuing food for food rescue program.
• CostcocoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWarehouse retailer partner in food rescue operations.
• AldicoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGrocery partner rescuing food for food rescue program.
• SendikscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLocal grocery partner in food rescue operations.
• Nel-Sunshine FarmsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLocal farm partner providing rescued produce.
• Empty Bowls Event SponsorscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMultiple sponsors supporting annual Empty Bowls fundraiser including AMCS, MSOE, Cream City Clay, WMSE, Outpost Co-op, Union Centers, Quad, Vyron Community Foundation, Pepsi, Pomona, Educators, Chorus, MB, Concord Group, 4C FMCW, Beer Capitol, EY, Vrakas, Tabak, Fein and more.
• Cream City ClaycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArtistic partner coordinating bowl donations for Empty Bowls event.
• United WaycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner providing diaper distribution support.
• Milwaukee Diaper MissioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner providing diapers and menstrual products at all four locations.
• Impact 2-1-1coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner distributing infant needs and connecting families to resources.
• BombasminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSock donations provider for adult sizes XS-XL at all pantries.
• USDAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal partner for Stock Box program distribution at Orchard and Fond du Lac.
• AmeriCorpscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational service program providing members to support food center operations.
• Hope HousecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerShelter partner hosting Orchard Food Center in their building.
• Zion Rock ChurchcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHosting Fond du Lac Food Center in their auxiliary building.
• Milwaukee CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner hosting Cherry Food Center in Marcia P. Coggs Health and Human Services building.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Food Bank for New York City: Urban food bank operating community-based pantry and meal distribution programs serving food-insecure populations. Comparable nonprofit food assistance model in a major US city.
• Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin: Regional Feeding America affiliate serving eastern Wisconsin including Milwaukee. Operates food bank sourcing and distribution serving member pantries comparable to NourishMKE's food rescue and procurement operations.
• Philabundance: Philadelphia region's largest hunger relief organization operating food distribution, food rescue, and nutrition programs. Operates a comparable choice-pantry and food-rescue model in an urban core.
• Capital Area Food Bank: Washington DC-area regional food bank operating partner pantry network, food rescue, and nutrition education programming. Comparable scope and operational model to NourishMKE at regional scale.
• Greater Chicago Food Depository: Chicago-area food bank operating a network of partner pantries with food rescue from grocers and healthcare/community partnerships. Closely analogous urban Midwest food assistance operating model.
• Hunger Task Force: Milwaukee-based food bank that partners with NourishMKE to distribute TEFAP foods and Stock Boxes. Operates a similar community food distribution mission in the same geography and shares federal food program infrastructure.
• Gleaners Community Food Bank: Detroit-area community food bank operating choice-model pantries with grocery rescue partnerships from major retailers. Mirrors NourishMKE's choice distribution and food rescue approach at a larger regional scale.

Regional players

• Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin: Southern Wisconsin food bank serving a broader geography but with a comparable mix of food sourcing, partner pantry distribution, and nutrition programming analogous to NourishMKE's model.

Emerging players

• Meals on Wheels America: National network providing home-delivered meals to homebound seniors. Highly comparable to NourishMKE's Home Delivery Program serving homebound individuals, though focused on prepared meals rather than groceries.

Others

• Froedtert ThedaCare Health System: Healthcare system partner that provides patient referrals into NourishMKE's food programs as a social determinants of health intervention. Represents the healthcare-to-food-bank partner relationship NourishMKE leverages and that other healthcare systems may replicate.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@friedenscommunityministrie930
• Facebookfacebook.com/friedenspantry
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/friedens-community-ministries-inc.
• Instagraminstagram.com/nourishmilwaukee

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 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 NourishMKE