A Year of Transformation: Redwood Empire Food Bank’s Journey in 2024 and Vision for 2025
As I reflect on 2024, I am filled with a profound sense of gratitude for the resilience and generosity of our community. This past year has been a testament to our collective strength in addressing food insecurity in Sonoma County and beyond. The challenges we faced were significant, but they also inspired us to innovate and adapt in ways that will shape our future.
One of the most rewarding aspects of this year has been witnessing the dedication and commitment of our team—employees, board members, nonprofit partners, and volunteers—who have embraced change with open arms. We tackled complex problems head-on and responded swiftly to the community’s needs. The demand for food assistance increased more than we anticipated, yet we rose to the occasion. We operated within our budget while providing a variety of culturally relevant and seasonal produce through a client choice model, ensuring that those seeking help received not just food, but dignity.
As we move into 2025, I am excited to share our top four goals for the Redwood Empire Food Bank:
Expand Partnerships with Local Farms: We aim to strengthen our relationships with local farms to increase access to fresh produce, dairy, and protein. By sourcing locally, we can provide healthier options while supporting our regional agricultural community.
Cultivate Community Partnerships: Building a robust network of community partnerships, donors, and volunteers is vital. We will focus on education to demonstrate how contributions make a tangible impact on our mission to end hunger. By showing a bit of the magic behind the curtain, we hope to inspire more people to join us in this critical work.
Improve Internal Operations: We are committed to maximizing the effectiveness of our resources while reducing food waste and increasing operational sustainability. This includes optimizing food distribution logistics, offering client choice to minimize waste, and adopting eco-friendly practices like composting and gleaning produce into reusable containers.
Engage with the Public Sector: We will strengthen our engagement with public sector partners through relationship building and education. By providing data on hunger in Sonoma County and advocating for funding, we can ensure the sustainability of essential safety net services.
What I am most proud of this year is working at an organization that embraces change and innovation. The creativity and forward-thinking mindset of everyone at the Redwood Empire Food Bank has been remarkable. Despite the challenges we faced in procuring and providing more groceries, we maintained our commitment to serving those in need.
As we look ahead to 2025, I am filled with hope for what we can achieve together. Your support—whether through donations, volunteering, or advocacy—fuels our determination to create a hunger-free Sonoma County. Together, we can build a stronger, more resilient community where everyone has access to the nourishment they need to thrive.
Thank you for being an essential part of our mission. I look forward to the positive changes we will create together in the coming year!
Allison Goodwin, President and CEO
The Redwood Empire Food Bank is a 501(c)(3) Non-profit. Our Tax ID is
68-0121855.
Charity Navigator Rating
For the 15th consecutive year, the Redwood Empire Food Bank earned a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator, America’s largest independent charity evaluator. A 4-star rating is the highest rating given by the organization. Learn more here.
