Becoming A Member/Partner Agency

Non-profit organizations that provide food assistance to the needy and low-income may be eligible to become member agencies of Second Harvest North Central Food Bank.

To be eligible, an agency must meet the following criteria:

• Organization must be located in the seven county service area of the food bank. Those counties are: Aitkin, Cass, Crow Wing, Itasca, Kanabec, Koochiching, Mille Lacs
• Must have 501 (c)(3) tax exempt status with the Internal Revenue Service, church service organization or other non-profit agency sponsorship. Must provide a copy of the Letter of Determination from the IRS.
• Must be an agency that serves the needy and low-income.
• Must serve food to clients in the form of meals or distribute packaged food for emergency situations.
• Must not sell food or charge for meals.
• Must be accessible to all eligible persons in need within a designated service area regardless of race, color, sex, religion, disability, or national origin.
• Must provide own transportation to pick up product at the warehouse or be willing to pay the delivery fee of six (6) cents per pound.
• Must have adequate refrigeration and approved storage space to insure the wholesomeness of the food until it is used or redistributed.
• Must follow all State and Federal regulations regarding the repackaging and handling of food.
• If the agency prepares meals on site it must be licensed by the State and /or City as a food service establishment according to the service it provides.
• Must be willing to pay an annual Membership Fee to the Second Harvest North Central Food Bank of $50.00
• Must provide the Food Bank with service statistics on a monthly basis.
• Must be agreeable to facility inspection by the Food Bank staff prior to membership and thereafter to monitoring at least once every two years, with or without
• prior notice.
• Must be agreeable to supporting the operation of the Food Bank with the shared maintenance fee of up to .18 cents per pound for donated food and non-food products received. Purchased product prices are based on the wholesale cost to the Food Bank plus a small handling fee. Invoices are due upon receipt. Service charges may be applied to past due invoices.

If your organization meets the above criteria or if you have questions about becoming a member agency of Second Harvest North Central Food Bank, please contact Justin, Second Harvest Operations Manager, at 218.326.4420.