Is establishing a food bank in a city feasible?

Yes, establishing a food bank in a city is feasible. You need some space for office and warehouse, fridges, some vehicle, a telephone, a computer and internet access, a home page. All these can be obtained through donations. But you need lot of volunteers. You must gain from the knowledge and experience of how existing food banks operate. So read on>.....
A food bank is a place where food, both non-perishable goods and perishable goods like fresh produce, frozen items, and baker products, are offered to nonprofit agencies for distribution to people who may not be able to afford food. These agencies are typically non-profit organizations or run as part of a church or community outreach group. A food bank is like the wholesale arm of the food distribution system for those living in poverty. Other agencies are the retail arm and serve people directly. The term "food bank" is not protected by law, however, and is sometimes used by these agencies directly serving those in need of food.
Food banks often get the food from companies or supermarkets with unsaleable stock, and also from donations from the general public, especially around holidays such as Thanksgiving and Christmas. In addition, the US Government and state governments often contract with food banks to distribute USDA surplus commodities. In addition, food banks who are members of America's Second Harvest, the nation's food bank network, are able to take advantage of relationships with major manufacturers. Instead of calling the more than 200 food banks across the country, a manufacturer with several semiloads of product to donate can make just one phone call.
Food Drive Most Wanted List


Non-perishable Food Items
Canned Proteins (tuna, salmon, chicken, peanut butter)
Canned Fruits (pineapples, peaches, and pears)
100% Fruit Juices (All sizes including juice boxes)
Pastas and Sauces (spaghetti sauce)
Canned Vegetables (mixed, green beans, corn)
Soups (beef stew, chili, chicken noodle, turkey rice)
Cereal (cheerios, cornflakes, grapenuts, raisin bran)

Hygiene Products
Diapers
Deodorants for men and women
Feminine products
Toilet paper
Tissues
Soap
Toothpaste
Shampoo


Education Program Products
For the Foods & Skills education program, designed to teach life skills including hands-on cooking classes
Brown rice (1 or 2 lb bags)
Flour (1 or 2 lb bags)
Soy sauce-lite (10 oz)
Barley (1 lb bag / box)
Olive and/or canola oil
Corn starch
Black beans (canned)
Garbanzo beans (canned)
Thyme (small size)


Kids Cafe
An evening meal served at after-school programs before a child goes home. Industrial sizes appreciated.
Apple sauce
Juice (100% juice only)
Granola/fruit bars
Pasta sauce (no meat)
Macaroni & Cheese
Graham Crackers
Corn Bread mix
Pretzels
Nuts for snacks
Paper/Plastic cups & plates
Plastic forks & spoons
The first food bank was St. Mary's Food Bank, started in 1967 in Phoenix, Arizona.
Visit http://foodbanknyc.org/ to know more about the food bank in New York city.
To get ideas for organising food bank for your city, visit also:
http://oregonfoodbank.org/
http://ntxfoodbank.org/
http://capitalareafoodbank.org/support/