Programs & Services
Childhood Hunger Programs
In order to significantly impact childhood hunger in coastal South Carolina, the LCFB launched its first sponsored Kids Cafe program in 2000; in 2006 BackPack Buddies was launced and the Summer Feeding initiative and the School Pantry program soon followed. Read MORE >>>
Government Feeding Programs
Commodities Supplemental Food Program (CSFP)
July 2003 marks the first ever Commodities Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) in South Carolina. In partnership with the SC Department of Social Services, the LCFB distributes USDA food commodities to Women, Infant and Children (WIC) participants and the elderly living on Food Stamps. The program is currently available in Berkeley, Charleston, Horry and Williamsburg counties.
The Emergnecy Food Assistance Program (TEFAP)
Through The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), the LCFB is the sole distributor of USDA products to the poor and hungry in coastal South Carolina. This relationship with the SC Department of Social Services provides better quality food on a more consistent schedule, greatly reduces barriers to access, and saves the taxpayer money by distributing these government commodities to the ten coastal counties of South Carolina.For more information about the TEFAP and CSFP programs, please visit the SC Department of Social Services Healthy Helpings website.
In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.
To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Adjudication,
Grassroots Network of Member Agencies
The LCFB maintains formal contractual agreements with more than 360 member agencies in coastal South Carolina. Member agencies include after-school programs, faith-based organizations, shelters, food pantries, children's homes, soup kitchens, and low-income senior centers. The process of becoming a member agency adheres to the highest selection standards. These standards are continuously reiterated to the existing and prospective member agencies through quarterly agency meetings, an annual agency survey, monthly meal reports, site visits, and an annual Community Development Conference. .
Growing Food Locally
In partnership with the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina, and Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation, and Clemson University, the LCFB operates the Growing Food Locally program in Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton, and Jasper counties. Primarily serving a perishable foods supplier and distribution function for regional emergency food providers, the Growing Food Locally program is designed to help small-scale farming enterprises become profitable through professional training, free consultations, small pay advances, and a guaranteed safety net purchase of pre-selected crops. Since 2007, the GFL program has produced more than 500,000 pounds of fresh produce available to the LCFB's network of rural, sponsored feeding programs.
Food Works
Overseen by the LCFB's Director of Procurement, Margaret Grant, the Food Works program functions under three pillars - Cook, Teach, Nourish - and since its launch in January 2011, it has done just that. Through the Zucker Family Production Kitchen and the Food Works program, meals are produced for children in our Kids Cafe program, and for seniors through our partnership with East Cooper Meals on Wheels. Food Works Executive Chef, Kimberly Ortego-Kuver and a team of culinary apprentices produce more than 4,000 meals a week. Read more about the Food Works program and see how you can get involved!
Food Works Executive Chef, Kimberly Ortego Kuver instructs her 2nd class of apprentices in the Zucker Family Production Kitchen
Nutrition Education
Since 2005, the LCFB has worked diligently to improve its internal capacity to increase distribution of nutritious foods, and to provide nutrition outreach services and education to its network of member agencies. The LCFB's Board of Directors adopted a nutrition strategy that is allowing the organization to conduct a targeted campaign to provide solutions to the economic and health problems associated with poor food choices in coastal South Carolina. The LCFB is collaborating with and communicating this message to its network of member agencies by designing projects to educate and encourage agencies to promote healthy eating among their clients. In addition to developing and implementing tools to evaluate the LCFB's nutrition programs, the LCFB's full time Nutrition Coordinator: 1) develops and disseminates childhood hunger program menus; 2) provides a variety of educational training techniques (i.e. healthy eating seminars and the publication of monthly newsletters); and 3) administers ServSafe Food Safety training and testing for the LCFB's member agencies (mandatory requirement for all LCFB agencies).
Regional Food Centers (Beaufort County and Grand Strand)
The LCFB began its operations by distributing food from a 10,000 square-foot, rented building in Ladson, South Carolina, to a handful of local faith-based and nonprofit agencies serving low-income populations. In March 1998, the LCFB moved its operations toa 37,000 square-foot, rent-free distribution center in North Charleston , located on the former Naval Base. In 1999, the LCFB distributed 1.7 million pounds of food, more than a 123% increase over the previous years. The LCFB's membership also grew dramatically by 104% reaching a total of 196 local faith-based and nonprofit agencies served in the ten coastal counties of South Carolina . In order to provide better access to food resources for rural faith-based and nonprofit agencies operating Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton and Jasper counties, the LCFB opened its 6,500 square-foot regional food center in Yemassee in 2000. The success of the regional food center in Beaufort prompted the LCFB to establish a 9,300 square-foot regional food center in Myrtle Beach to provide food resources to local faith-based and nonprofit agencies serving Georgetown, Horry, and Williamsburg counties. In 2012, the LCFB will distribute 19 million pounds of food to a network of more than 350 faith-based and nonprofit food programs in coastal South Carolina .
Programs & Services
Childhood Hunger Programs
In order to significantly impact childhood hunger in coastal South Carolina, the LCFB launched its first sponsored Kids Cafe program in 2000; in 2006 BackPack Buddies was launced and the Summer Feeding initiative and the School Pantry program soon followed. Read MORE >>>
Government Feeding Programs
Commodities Supplemental Food Program (CSFP)
July 2003 marks the first ever Commodities Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) in South Carolina. In partnership with the SC Department of Social Services, the LCFB distributes USDA food commodities to Women, Infant and Children (WIC) participants and the elderly living on Food Stamps. The program is currently available in Berkeley, Charleston, Horry and Williamsburg counties.
The Emergnecy Food Assistance Program (TEFAP)
Through The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), the LCFB is the sole distributor of USDA products to the poor and hungry in coastal South Carolina. This relationship with the SC Department of Social Services provides better quality food on a more consistent schedule, greatly reduces barriers to access, and saves the taxpayer money by distributing these government commodities to the ten coastal counties of South Carolina.For more information about the TEFAP and CSFP programs, please visit the SC Department of Social Services Healthy Helpings website.
In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.
To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Adjudication,
Grassroots Network of Member Agencies
The LCFB maintains formal contractual agreements with more than 360 member agencies in coastal South Carolina. Member agencies include after-school programs, faith-based organizations, shelters, food pantries, children's homes, soup kitchens, and low-income senior centers. The process of becoming a member agency adheres to the highest selection standards. These standards are continuously reiterated to the existing and prospective member agencies through quarterly agency meetings, an annual agency survey, monthly meal reports, site visits, and an annual Community Development Conference. .
Growing Food Locally
In partnership with the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina, and Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation, and Clemson University, the LCFB operates the Growing Food Locally program in Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton, and Jasper counties. Primarily serving a perishable foods supplier and distribution function for regional emergency food providers, the Growing Food Locally program is designed to help small-scale farming enterprises become profitable through professional training, free consultations, small pay advances, and a guaranteed safety net purchase of pre-selected crops. Since 2007, the GFL program has produced more than 500,000 pounds of fresh produce available to the LCFB's network of rural, sponsored feeding programs.
Food Works
Overseen by the LCFB's Director of Procurement, Margaret Grant, the Food Works program functions under three pillars - Cook, Teach, Nourish - and since its launch in January 2011, it has done just that. Through the Zucker Family Production Kitchen and the Food Works program, meals are produced for children in our Kids Cafe program, and for seniors through our partnership with East Cooper Meals on Wheels. Food Works Executive Chef, Kimberly Ortego-Kuver and a team of culinary apprentices produce more than 4,000 meals a week. Read more about the Food Works program and see how you can get involved!
Food Works Executive Chef, Kimberly Ortego Kuver instructs her 2nd class of apprentices in the Zucker Family Production Kitchen
Nutrition Education
Since 2005, the LCFB has worked diligently to improve its internal capacity to increase distribution of nutritious foods, and to provide nutrition outreach services and education to its network of member agencies. The LCFB's Board of Directors adopted a nutrition strategy that is allowing the organization to conduct a targeted campaign to provide solutions to the economic and health problems associated with poor food choices in coastal South Carolina. The LCFB is collaborating with and communicating this message to its network of member agencies by designing projects to educate and encourage agencies to promote healthy eating among their clients. In addition to developing and implementing tools to evaluate the LCFB's nutrition programs, the LCFB's full time Nutrition Coordinator: 1) develops and disseminates childhood hunger program menus; 2) provides a variety of educational training techniques (i.e. healthy eating seminars and the publication of monthly newsletters); and 3) administers ServSafe Food Safety training and testing for the LCFB's member agencies (mandatory requirement for all LCFB agencies).
Regional Food Centers (Beaufort County and Grand Strand)
The LCFB began its operations by distributing food from a 10,000 square-foot, rented building in Ladson, South Carolina, to a handful of local faith-based and nonprofit agencies serving low-income populations. In March 1998, the LCFB moved its operations toa 37,000 square-foot, rent-free distribution center in North Charleston , located on the former Naval Base. In 1999, the LCFB distributed 1.7 million pounds of food, more than a 123% increase over the previous years. The LCFB's membership also grew dramatically by 104% reaching a total of 196 local faith-based and nonprofit agencies served in the ten coastal counties of South Carolina . In order to provide better access to food resources for rural faith-based and nonprofit agencies operating Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton and Jasper counties, the LCFB opened its 6,500 square-foot regional food center in Yemassee in 2000. The success of the regional food center in Beaufort prompted the LCFB to establish a 9,300 square-foot regional food center in Myrtle Beach to provide food resources to local faith-based and nonprofit agencies serving Georgetown, Horry, and Williamsburg counties. In 2012, the LCFB will distribute 19 million pounds of food to a network of more than 350 faith-based and nonprofit food programs in coastal South Carolina .
Children at Risk of Hunger in Every County
More than 1,000 counties in our nation have more than one in four children at risk of hunger. Feeding America's Map the Meal Gap study shows that children struggle with hunger throughout our country. See what South Carolina's face of hunger looks like by learning more!!
Sunoco Fights Hunger
Find a Sunoco near you and help fight hunger! The Lowcountry Food Bank is honored to partner with Sunoco for their Caffeinate Charleston campaign. Visit one of their Sunoco APlus locations in our service area and purchase a cup of "Lowcountry Blend." By buying a cup, you will be giving a cup to the Lowcountry Food Bank!
TJ's Million Meal Mission
WEZL's very own TJ Phillips has set a goal to raise one million meals in 2013! A longtime supporter of the LCFB, TJ is a champion of our fight to end hunger in the lowcountry. Please read more about his challenge and see ways you can get involved!
