Food Bank Market (formerly the Central Food Pantry)
This page is part of the LOVE Columbia information library website. To contact the organization listed below, please follow links or phone numbers given within the article.
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The New Food Bank/Market features spaces for local partners to share resources like housing or utilities assistance; legal counsel; SNAP support; education on Medicaid and health insurance; and more. In addition, Compass Health Network will provide preventive and primary care services from a 1,108 square foot tenant space. A demonstration kitchen will allow The Food Bank’s dietetics team to offer training that encourage healthy eating and meal preparation.If you live or work in Boone County and are in need of food assistance, you are welcome to visit Central Pantry. The intake process is entirely self-declared, so no paperwork is required, just bring yourself to enroll at Central Pantry. Everyone in your household does not need to be present during the initial intake. A form of ID helps intake move quicker and the names and birthdates of other households written on a piece of paper help, but none are necessary. Central Pantry respects your privacy, and personal information will never be sold or shared.
Any client can shop once a month.
Clients who are homeless, in a hotel or in transitional housing can shop twice per month. Client’s need to provide this information when they go to shop. In the past I was told we (Love Columbia staff) would need to provide a letter. Jennifer said it’s just self-declaration now.
Neighbors who are disabled, or anyone who does not have transportation to get to The Market, can request food delivery. They need to call on the first Tuesday of each month to verify they need a box, and if they want the delivery in the morning or afternoon. The food is then delivered on the 3rd Friday of the month. They have limited availability for this, but Jennifer said so far, they haven’t had to turn anyone away. They will receive two boxes of food.
Their delivery for seniors over 60 is on the 4th Friday. The senior must fall within specific income guidelines, and they can get more information about that from The Market.
Client’s can also set up for someone to shop on their behalf, called a proxy. The client will need to call The Market and add the specific person to their account. That person can then go to The Market and shop for them.
The Market has early shopping on Thursday mornings from 9-9:30 for clients who are shopping with their case managers.
Coming to The Market or setting up a proxy to shop for clients are the best ways to shop and provides the most food. Due to space, the delivery service is limited to two boxes of food.
The Market used to offer a second visit for any client if they come with their caseworker. They no longer offer this service. Only those who fall within the category mentioned above can shop a second time.
PROGRAMS —————————————————————————
SENIOR BOXES - If you are age 60 and older and have limited income, then the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP), also known as Senior Boxes, may be for you. Senior Boxes provides nutritious food packages to eligible seniors each month. Find out if you meet the income guidelines here. If you're interested in signing up, fill out the application and bring it to Central Pantry during your next visit. You will also need to bring proof of residence (an I.D. with current address), and a driver’s license or a birth certificate.If you would like to designate someone to pick up your Senior Box on your behalf, please complete the proxy form and turn in with your application.
PROJECT DASH FOOD DELIVERIES - Central Pantry is piloting a delivery program with the help of DoorDash. Neighbors age 60+ who live within a 10-mile radius of Central Pantry may be eligible to get food delivered to their door through the program.
About the Program
The program provides deliveries to the first 50 eligible neighbors who call to schedule the service each month. To schedule: Call (573) 874-7848 between 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on the Tuesday or Wednesday of the delivery week. Slots are first come, first served.
Deliveries count as a regular monthly pantry visit.
Items are pre-selected and include a Mixed Produce Box and perishable and non-perishable items with quantities based on household size.
Neighbors must be present to accept the delivery, so we can make sure no perishable foods go to waste.
Central Pantry is accepting new neighbors through this delivery process, so even if you’ve never visited, feel free to complete intake over the phone and schedule a delivery.
PANTRY2PLATE - The Food Bank’s Registered Dietitian Alma Hopkins offers food tastings at the Central Pantry on most Thursdays. Alma also works to help neighbors learn more about seasonal produce and legumes and highlights healthy recipes using common foods available to neighbors at Central Pantry and other partner agencies of The Food Bank. We invite everyone to access Alma’s library of recipes and try these tasty and healthy dishes at home. 705 Business Loop 70 W
Columbia, MO 65201
(573) 874-7848Visit websiteHOURS:
Tuesday: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Wednesday: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Thursday: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Friday: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
The Market will be closed the following days in 2024:
January 13 (in observance of MLK Day)
January 25 (staff professional development)
April 25 (staff professional development)
May 25 (in observance of Memorial Day)
June 19 (in observance of Juneteenth)
July 4 (in observance of Independence Day)
July 25 (staff professional development)
August 31 (in observance of Labor Day)
October 24 (staff professional development)
November 28-29 (in observance of Thanksgiving)
December 24-25 (in observance of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day)
January 1, 2025 (in observance of New Year’s Day)
Weather-related closures will be posted on our social media accounts and the homepage of our website.