Food Distribution Center history

In 1959 Dock Street’s produce market faded as Philadelphia’s city fathers created the Food Distribution Center in South Philadelphia.

The first official food bank was established in 1967 by a man named John van Hengel.

By 1977, food banks were established in 18 cities across the country.

As the number of food banks began to increase, van Hengel created a national organization for food banks, and in 1979 he established Second Harvest, which was later called America’s Second Harvest, the Nation’s Food Bank Network.

In 1985, the Catholic Charities Food Bank Program and the Food Crisis Network merge to form the St Louis Area Foodbank.

Mathematica Policy Research releases “Hunger in America 2006” and finds the St Louis Area Foodbank network serves more than 193,000 people each year through 382 partner agencies.

In 2008, the network changed its name to Feeding America to better reflect the organization's mission.

Mathematica Policy Research releases “Hunger in America 2010” and finds the St Louis Area Foodbank network serves more than 261,000 people each year through 478 partner agencies.

In June 2011, Philadelphia Wholesale Produce Market (PWPM) opened on Essington Avenue.

Feeding America releases “Hunger In America 2014” and finds the St Louis Area Foodbank network serves more than 392,000 people each year through 507 partner agencies.