If I could give this place 0 stars I would! Do not use this facility if you want to be treated with…read morebasic human decency. The Berkeley Food Network operates like a cold, corporate warehouse rather than a true community resource. I personally found myself in a situation where I have to use food banks, and the actual client experience on the ground at BFN is completely unusable. They force elderly, disabled, and vulnerable residents to stand outside in grueling lines for hours. I believe they train their volunteers in aggressive line management that is entirely inappropriate--a practice brought on solely by the failure of their own operations. Frontline staff enforce arbitrary, unwritten "verbal policies" to power-trip over people rather than showing basic compassion. I have officially reached out to the Alameda County Community Food Bank and have made them aware of the serious problems at BFN. I have also let friends and family members who are in a position to donate to the Alameda County Community Food Bank know exactly what I have experienced firsthand at BFN. This place is in direct violation of the equity standards required by public grants, and funding sources need to audit this organization immediately. I have now seen other places that do not have these problems, meaning I am forced to leave Berkeley and go to Emeryville just to get proper assistance. I am so grateful to First Presbyterian Church and the Emeryville Citizens Assistance Program (ECAP) for restoring my dignity and faith. I go to First Pres early for commodities, and the drive-through is incredibly well-run, orderly, and efficient. If I can get my place held in line as I like to choose what I need, I will gladly help out with the food bank operations at First Pres because they treat people like human beings. I also have to add that the church pantry on Sacramento Street was not working for me either--the mystery bags, the lack of being able to choose your own food, and the massive amount of carbs were way too stressful. Avoid BFN like the plague and stick to places like ECAP and First Pres that offer real choice and respect. What makes this even worse is that BFN has access to appointment-scheduling software that could eliminate these multi-hour wait times tomorrow. They deliberately refuse to turn it on because a long, miserable line wrapping around the block creates a visible crisis that looks good for fundraising and 'clicks for bucks.' They choose crowds and data metrics over the physical health of vulnerable citizens.

I rarely leave reviews like this, but what my 70-year-old father and I experienced at Berkeley Food…read moreNetwork was deeply disturbing and completely inconsistent with the "dignity" and "community care" image this organization publicly promotes. My father, who previously underwent open-heart surgery, waited in line for HOURS to receive food assistance. I arrived about 10-15 minutes later so we could enter together, something that had previously been allowed without issue. Instead, a volunteer named Sara B. stopped us and aggressively enforced what staff and management later admitted was merely a "verbal policy" requiring continuous physical presence in line. When I respectfully asked for a written copy of the policy being enforced against my elderly father, none could be produced because apparently it was never formally written or communicated. What shocked me even more was management's response. Rather than showing compassion, flexibility, or basic human decency toward a medically vulnerable senior citizen who had already waited for hours, facility manager Fruhar Safa became defensive, dismissive, and more focused on asserting authority than resolving the situation fairly. We were repeatedly told my father should simply go stand back in line again after already waiting for hours. This organization constantly speaks publicly about equity, dignity, and care for vulnerable communities. But based on our experience, the reality on the ground felt very different. If this is how elderly people with serious medical histories are treated while seeking basic food assistance, the public, donors, and community partners deserve to know. Organizations serving vulnerable populations should be held to a higher standard -- especially when they receive public trust, donations, and community support. They practice the opposite of what they preach no matter what they say on the website. I believe the federal funding and donors could be well spent somewhere else than this organization. The quality of their foods is mediocre too.

The Staff here have power trip. They are rude and disrespectful; they make it hard to another…read moreagency to want to work with them. I have seen them treat white people better than they do color folks. The place is so inconvenient for anyone to even pick up food. If you are with any agency, they think it's okay for them to be disrespectful to you but once you remind them to be kind, they take it up their ass to make up a whole fake ass story to make it look like you're the problem. An organization that help people? their mission statement is ass just like their workers. Those nasty ass attitude and disrespect from their workers is not worth coming here to use their services. If I wanted to be yelled at and have lies being told about me, I rather hear it from my own mother.

I was so heartbroken and discriminated . I stood in the line and I waited for my turn. They turned…read moreme away because I am handicap and I was on a mobility scooter. They said I needed to walk in there which made me feel so humiliated. I could not eat because I could not walk. They had tons of people around that could've supported and helped me get the food but instead they made me feel like I was unworthy. I will never go to this place again I felt like they were heartless.

Fridge no longer there at 44th and Telegraph...just came back from that locale. So do not bother to…read morewaste your time going there....YIKES!

Just updating my previous review. The fridge has since been replaced with a better one, so I'd…read moreraise my rating from 1 to 4.

Amazing employees and office workers! Great place to do Community service with friendly, fast, and…read moreorganized service. Jose is very helpful and always looking out for everyone and he is the most passionate, hardworking, and kind person. Great break room also. Provides coffee, snacks, and etc! Not too hard to do keep in mind every bag you make is feeding a family and it helps a lot. I was really nervous and afraid that the task of doing community service was going to be hard and I have anxiety and being in there got me the comfort I needed to keep going and the employees always gets me going too. It made me to the fact that I want to donate my time at least once a month after doing 103 hours worth of community service. Jocelyn is also helpful with my situation and is best and giving advice, helping out with my situation, and very caring for those that need community service for any reason! I recommend going to this place for any court orders, hours needed for school, work, and etc! Thank you again food bank for your help!

This is gonna be a long post so brace yourselves for a read…read more The SHCC Mixer at Food Bank of Contra Costa & Solano was probably the most educational mixer I have attended so far this year. I had absolutely no idea how much the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano does for our community! This place is gigantic! They are committed to providing those in need in our community with healthy food options. This place is stacked with food we are talking racks on racks on racks! If there is EVER a zombie outbreak this is where I am going ‍ we will be set! In all seriousness I was so amazed at all the different ways they help our community! From no ask drive up food donation locations, to suppling large amounts or food to shelters. There are so many ways to get involved with this nonprofit and they need all the help they can get. Thank you for a wonderful mixer Solano Hispanic Chamber and everything you do for your members. Interested in getting involved here is how You can donate money! The food bank is able to purchase food at whole sale less then grocery store prices. Every $1 donated is enough food for 2 meals. You can donate food! Most needed items: Protein- Peanut Butter Hearty Soups Dried or Canned Beans Canned Meats & Tuna Fruits & Veggies- Canned Fruit in Juice Canned Vegetables Canned Tomato Products Grains- Brown Rice Whole Wheat Pasta Whole Grain Cereal You can volunteer: You can host a food drive! 1. Decide when you will host your drive 2. Get people involved to collect our most-needed foods (shopping list on back!) 3. Drop off your food and find out how much of an impact you made! 4. Add a virtual food drive to raise much-needed funds at foodbankccs.org/virtualfooddrive You can house a collection bin in your business! You can organize a team building volunteer day! Use their Find Food Map to locate places nearby to get free food from the Food Bank and their partners. They have many different programs out their to help the community: COMMUNITY PRODUCE PROGRAM/PLUS: Families and individuals can pick up 15-20 pounds of FREE fresh produce and a variety of perishable and nonperishable food* twice a month. SENIOR FOOD PROGRAM: FREE groceries twice a month to individuals aged 55 or older. Bring a picture ID that shows age, and proof of address (PG&E bill, for example). PARTNER AGENCIES: Neighborhood partners offer FREE food and services to the public. Find your local pantry or soup kitchen to check their current hours and offerings. CALFRESH OUTREACH: CalFresh is a grocery assistance program that helps you purchase food. Our friendly staff can help you find out if you are eligible and apply for benefits. Foodbankccs.org

I had the opportunity to volunteer at the Solano Food Bank via Kaiser Permanente…read more First let me say, WOW! What an operation. Upon driving up you can't help but notice that their building is HUGE! It's as big as a Costco! Tons of trailers were docked getting filled up by the many volunteers. They even had a Amazon trailer at the loading/unloading dock. There were approximately 30+ volunteers. We all gathered at the picnic tables inside the warehouse. Coffee, Tea, and snacks were provided - nice touch. We all worked together to load many boxes of food that were sent on a rolling conveyor belt with volunteers all along it. I was a team of 2 that stacked the boxes on multiple pallets before a forklift driver whisked them away. It was so awesome to be apart of. If you ever have a chance to volunteer please do so.

Very much appreciated the people are angels straight from Heaven so thankful they really go out…read morethey way!

I came here as a volunteer event with my coworkers and I can say it was hard work, but very…read morerewarding and most importantly fun! Sign up for this event was very easy. You sign up before you arrive and check in at the lobby sign in kiosk. They do require masks at this time, but do provide you with extra masks and gloves if you do forget yours. Before your shift, you do a temperature check/screening outside which is very easy and non invasive. Parking is safe. A gated lot with tons of security cameras and volunteers in the parking lot at all times. With outdoor tent eating area. Tasks include sorting fruits/veggies and bagging them for transport. Organizing boxes ect. A task for everyone. The volunteers are all very helpful and nice. And at the end of your shifts you can see how much meals you provided. Shifts are 3 hours each. One from 8:30-12 and 12-3. Time flies when having fun. Highly recommend this place to volunteer and give back. Link to volunteer: https://www.accfb.org/get-involved/volunteer/

I've been here two times and this is a great & safe place to volunteer! You must sign up in advance…read moreonline. There's two 3 hr shifts, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Once you get to the location, park all the way in the back, to the right side, then enter through the door. Once you enter, you'll be greeted, write your name on a name tag, then you'll check in on the computers, and they'll lead you to a room where they'll introduce you to the ACCFB, talk a little bit about the history, safety, etc. They also have lockers if you want to put your bag inside, and they have a break area where you can leave your water bottles, etc. The restroom is also clean as well! For the volunteering portion, I bagged apples & potatoes, and also assembled the giant cardboard boxes to fill up the produce and fruits in. It is super fun and you get a 15 minute break in between. This is a great location to do this solo, with family/friends, or even with work! There are lead volunteers around to help you with anything you may need. At the end, they'll recap how many pounds of foods were pack and how many meals will be served to the community. It is such a wonderful place to volunteer and I know it won't be my last time coming here!

Food insecurity is scary, but Berkeley Food Pantry is a balm. I've visited a few times when I was…read moreunemployed or between paychecks. The staff are efficient, friendly, & treat everyone with respect. You get 4 bags of groceries, including fresh bread, seasonal produce, a meat or fish, and shelf-stable milk, as well as pantry staples, like beans rice, & pasta. The staff will check you in quickly and take the groceries to your car. A lifesaver!

I went with a friend who is going through some hard times. They give everyone 4 bags of food, and…read morethere are a lot of good things in those bags: fresh bread, eggs and fruit - not just rice, beans and canned goods. Highly recommended if you are having trouble stretching your food budget. You need to live in Berkeley or Albany, otherwise no questions asked. Everyone working there was extremely nice as well.

Safe food pantry, with security cameras out front at least for those in need. I understand the…read moreprocess to receive food can take all day because it requires waiting in line for a number early in the day, then returning later in the day when the number is called and people receive food. That seems like it would be very impactful to people's lives, if they need to spend the better part of any given day to receive food. That means a 20% loss of potential time to find work for the week. And even more than that because they may miss calls or otherwise be unavailable to attend to jobs business from previous applications for the better part of a day. It also seems like a lot of time in transit to go back and forth twice from home to the pantry, unnecessarily polluting our air from exhaust from combustion engines in vehicles and power plants where electricity is generated, not to mention the cost for gas and maintenance or vehicles for people who cannot afford it. It seems like a raffle where names are randomly selected from the list of people who have registered online in the morning would be a better service to the customers but I guess the implication is that these people's time is not important because they are not working and they deserve to wait in line for hours during cold mornings, standing on cement. At least there is shelter from the awning for the first people who arrive but the others bake in sunshine. Often the later people to arrive don't even wait in line because there is no room to actually do so, so they wander around the parking lot. Compared to the competition, I hear this is a food pantry but still lacking in services required for humane delivery. I won't even start to share the rumors I've heard about how badly people are treated by some staff and some volunteers, as well as people dropping off food. Suffice it to say that there seems to be an 'Us and Them' phenomenon going on amongst providers, despite their sometimes apparent good intentions.

If you use the food pantry get there early as numbers go quickly. That said, the people that work…read morehere are friendly and helpful. They give a wide variety of food & are really organized. This a good place to go if you need food.

Came to the new Alameda Food Bank to join the pepper growing class hosted by the Alameda Backyard…read moreGrowers. The space is very nice, spacious. There were several types of peppers that community members were able to sample and the Backyard Growers also gave out lots of seeds that people could take home to plant. Nice class, let some new people and learned new info about how to grow peppers!

As of Summer 2025 For privacy, try to be respectful to…read moreeveryone But just to show how many people do need the Food Bank and do need help Donated before but after seeing that many people waiting for their turn, I needa do more Writing this review in hopes more people notice this place too and offer whatever they can for those in need

ABSOLUTELY do not know how to follow through with anything they tell you they will do. They strung…read moreus along for months because there was "something they were working on for us", and all kinds of promised help that never came through. All up until they kicked us out of the hotel they had put us in, never came through with somewhere to go from the hotel (even after reassuring us they had somewhere for us). So now we are back to living on the streets and wishing we had never even heard of this organization.

I was discriminated against two different ways, going there for a meal…read more Never again; I had a bad feeling I regret not following, that this would be the case. It was really blatant, too. They favor their friends, the guys that work there. I don't want your food, at the end of the day.