Foodbank of Santa Barbara County

What it reported doing in 2024

For the past 40 years, the Foodbank has served as the central hub for the sourcing and distributing food resources to low-income families suffering from food insecurity. Operating from warehouses in Santa Barbara and Santa Maria, it supplies over 12 million pounds of fresh produce and nutritious groceries each year through a network of 200+ nonprofit partners, health programs, and schools. The Foodbank's operations span not just the county, but also the country through its membership in Feeding America, a national network of 200+ Food Banks.The 2019 County Disaster Relief Plan designated the Foodbank a lead agency in coordinating the county's nonprofits and governmental agencies in all emergency food relief efforts.Last fiscal year:- We distributed 11.5 million pounds of food to those in need. Including nearly, 5 million pounds of fresh produce and nutritious groceries.- We served 202,616 total unduplicated low-income individuals.- Of all clients served, 37% were children (0-17 years old); and 11% were older adults (60 years or older).- Of all clients served, 50% were female; and 80% were of Latinx/Hispanicindividuals.- A total 1,964 volunteers contributed 30,578 hours of their valuable time and service, assisting with various programs.Programs: The Foodbank's broad array of programs bring together community resources and 200+ partners to provide immediate and long-term solutions to neighbors facing food insecurity, recognizing the stress this experience inflicts upon mental and physical wellbeing disproportionately affects communities of color. These programs build a path to health equity providing access to culturally relevant, nutrient-dense foods, nutrition education and empowerment targeted specifically to the unique needs of various populations in our community.The Foodbank's holistic approach to food and health for children leads with innovation, engagement, and fun providing interactive lessons fostering a positive relationship with food and promoting whole, natural foods. For youth from preschool through teenage years, the sequence of programs build food literacy skills, positive body image and enjoyment of food and eating to support resiliency. Programs such as Kid's Farmers Market or Teens Love Cooking provide cooking lessons that explore cultural foods and nutrition messages that promote fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains and legumes as part of a balanced diet.Several Foodbank programs support the local food production system and its intrinsic connection to community wellbeing, including food insecurity. With programs like Agricultores con Buena Salud/Healthy Farmworkers, the Foodbank ensures cultural foods, nutrition education and additional resources are available to farmworkers in their preferred languages and easy to access locations. In addition, striving to reduce waste and further sustainability in the food system, the Foodbank operates Backyard Bounty and Grocery Rescue programs, gleaning produce from local farms and gardens and recovering grocery items from local stores.The Foodbanks Older Adult Nutrition Program serves over 2,000 participants and provides home delivery services where needed for homebound seniors. Cooking classes for older adults provides access to nutrition information and social connection through food. Evaluation: To evaluate annual targets, we quantify outputs through pounds of food and produce distributed, number of neighbors served, number of volunteers and the hours they contribute, number of nonprofit partners, number of nutrition education lessons and hours. Data is captured through quarterly reports submitted by our agency and program partners. We quantify outcomes through a combination of qualitative (focus groups) and quantitative (survey) data collection performed at the start and conclusion of our programs or annually for on-going programs. Program Effectiveness is evaluated according to 5 domains: Knowledge, Attitudes/Beliefs, Self-efficacy/Skill-building, Community-w

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 81.9%; rating input score 82
• Program expense ratio: 88.3%; rating input score 88
• Fundraising efficiency: $15.73 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 51; 51st percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 94.1%; rating input score 94; 20th percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: 6 of 6 controls in place; rating input score 100
  • Compensation committee: Pass
  • Independent consultant: Pass
  • Other Form 990s reviewed: Pass
  • Written employment contract: Pass
  • Compensation survey or study: Pass
  • Board or committee approval: Pass
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: Limited
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 100%; rating input score 100; 66th percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 9 of 9 controls in place; rating input score 100
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: Pass
  • Other executive compensation review process: Pass
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 8%; rating input score 63; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 1.9; rating input score 60; 60th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.15; rating input score 66; 66th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 4.4%; rating input score 56; 56th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 5.9% per year; rating input score 100; 48th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 7.9% per year; rating input score 100; 64th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 22.8% per year; rating input score 100; 92nd percentile among comparable filings