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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If you live in Boone County, you can visit The Food Bank Market to get nutritious food at no cost. The Market offers choice in the groceries visitors take home and regularly shares fresh and frozen produce, bread, dairy, meat and non-meat proteins and shelf-stable items. It also features space 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 provides preventive and primary care services from a 1,108 square foot tenant space on-site. A demonstration kitchen allows The Food Bank’s nutrition education team to offer samples, demonstrations and training to support healthy eating and meal prep.

What do I need to bring with me to get help? The intake process is entirely self-declared, so no paperwork is required. Just bring yourself to enroll. Everyone in your household does not need to be present during the initial intake. A form of ID and the names and birthdates of other households written on a piece of paper can help make intake a quicker process, but no paperwork is necessary. The Market respects your privacy, and personal information will never be sold or shared.

Who Can Shop? Anyone can shop once a month, and some community members with special considerations may be eligible to shop more often. Ask a team member at check-in.

Get Help from a Proxy - If you are not able to get to The Market but want to have more ability to choose the items you receive, set up a proxy (someone to shop on your behalf). Just call The Market and add the proxy to your account, and they can then shop on your behalf. Visiting The Market in person or setting up a proxy to shop for you allows you to get the most food and have the most control over the items you take home.

Sharing Room- The Sharing Room offers perishable items to anyone without check-in whenever The Market is open. Use the Sharing Room in between shops or whenever you need food, but please take only what your household can use.

Senior Boxes - Seniors who are eligible and enrolled in the CSFP (Senior Box) program can request delivery of their food box and will receive it on the 4th Friday of the month. Learn more about eligibility by connecting with a staff member at The Market.

Project Dash - Neighbors who are unable to reach The Market due to mobility or transportation challenges may be eligible for food delivery through Project Dash. Participants can call (573) 874-7848 between 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on the first Tuesday of each month to verify their need. Food is delivered on the 3rd Friday of the month. Deliveries count as a regular monthly pantry visit. Availability is limited, and that food delivery does not allow for choice like visiting The Market does. 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.

Location: 705 Business Loop 70 W Columbia, MO 65201
HOURS: Tues.- Fri.: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Sat.: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Contact Us (573) 874-7848
Learn More The Food Bank Market • The Food Bank for Central & Northeast Missouri‍ ‍
Weather-related and holiday closures are posted on our website calendar and social media accounts.