211 provides information and support to people who need food and other services.
Dial “211” 24 hours a day.
Download our Food Distribution Calendars
The Emergency Food Assistance Program (EFAP) is the largest supplemental food program the Food Bank operates. United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) food commodities are distributed at 26 sites throughout Monterey County via tailgate distribution on a monthly basis.
On average through this program, we serve 8,500 households per month, with a total of 2.6 million pounds of food annually.
To qualify to receive USDA food, families or individuals must certify that
they live in the area served by the distribution and have incomes at or below these guidelines:
| EFAP Maximum Income | ||
|---|---|---|
| Household Size | Monthly Household Income | Annual Household Income |
| 1 | $1,561.25 | $18,735 |
| 2 | $2,113.75 | $25,365 |
| 3 | $2,666.25 | $31,995 |
| 4 | $3,218.75 | $38,625 |
| 5 | $3,771.25 | $45,255 |
| 6 | $4,323.75 | $51,885 |
| 7 | $4,876.25 | $58,515 |
| 8 | $5,428.75 | $65,145 |
| 9 | $5,981.25 | $71,775 |
| 10 | $6,533.750 | $78,405 |
| Over 10 | add $552.50 each | add $6,630 each |
Download the 2019 Alternate Pick Up Form (English)..
Download the 2019 Alternate Pick Up Form (Spanish).
Download our All Family Markets calendar – 2019
The Family Market Program, which runs from April through October, provides fresh produce and dairy goods to our service population. It operates like a Farmers’ Market, but without charge. Families self-select food they like and need; there are no pre-packed bags. Each Market serves between 200 – 400 people; each household receives approximately 50 -100 pounds of food. A recent survey of our Family Market clients revealed that 98% of recipients said that they ate more fruit and vegetables because of this program.
There are now 10 sites sites countywide. The Family Market provides an ideal venue to receive information on nutrition, Food Stamps and other health and human services programs available to low-income Monterey County residents.
Food distributed consists of fresh locally grown produce such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts, celery, leeks, lettuce, Portobello mushrooms, scallions and strawberries.
We also distribute fruit and vegetables from all over the state, including potatoes, onions, avocados and various stone fruit. This food is available through a program called Farm to Family, sponsored by the California Association of Food Banks and designed to facilitate produce distribution to the 40+ food banks within the state.
