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Chester County Food Bank

EIN 27-0887311 · Exton, PA

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood79 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

WE MOBILIZE AND EDUCATE OUR COMMUNITY TO ENSURE EQUITABLE ACCESS TO NUTRITIOUS AND FAMILIAR FOOD. WE DO THIS BY RAISING, AND SOLICITING FUNDS FOR THE ACQUISITION, STORAGE, GROWING, COLLECTION AND DISTRIBUTION OF FOOD TO LOW INCOME CITIZENS OF CHESTER COUNTY, PA AT RISK OF HUNGER AND MALNUTRITION.

Income
$10.3 million
Spending
$11.2 million
Spent on programs
86%
Reserves
16.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
49
Volunteers
2,967
Highest pay
$206,137, ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 79 out of 100. Higher than 67% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 16.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 8% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 14% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    86% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 31% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    20 of 20 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (1)
  1. $9.7 million spent. CHESTER COUNTY FOOD BANK IS THE CENTRAL HUNGER-RELIEF ORGANIZATION IN CHESTER COUNTY PENNSYLVANIA. AT OUR CORE, WE PROCURE, DISTRIBUTE, GROW, AND COLLECT FOOD FOR OUR NEIGHBORS EXPERIENCING FOOD INSECURITY IN CHESTER COUNTY. IN FISCAL YEAR 2025 WE DISTRIBUTED 6.1 MILLION POUNDS OF FOOD THROUGH OVER 100 CONSISTENT COMMUNITY PARTNERS, EQUATING TO MORE THAN 4.2 MILLION MEALS. WE ACCOMPLISH THIS THROUGH A VARIETY OF MISSION CRITICAL PROGRAMS IN A FEW STRATEGIC AREAS; FOOD DISTRIBUTION, EDUCATION & WELLNESS, AGRICULTURE, AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT. WE PROCURE FOOD THROUGH A VARIETY OF SOURCES, THESE INCLUDE DONATIONS OF PRODUCT, GOVERNMENT ASSISTED COMMODITIES (TEFAP, PASS, SFPP, LFPA) AND PURCHASED FOOD THROUGH DOLLARS CONTRIBUTED PRIVATELY. THIS ALLOWS US TO DISTRIBUTE FOOD AT NO COST TO PANTRY PARTICIPANTS OR THE COMMUNITY PARTNERS OPERATING THE FOOD CUPBOARDS, MEAL SITES, SHELTERS AND SCHOOLS. AS THE CENTRAL HUNGER-RELIEF ORGANIZATION, WE ARE ABLE TO ENSURE A MORE EQUITABLE DISTRIBUTION OF RESOURCES THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY, REGARDLESS OF AN INDIVIDUAL COMMUNITY'S SUPPORT OF THEIR LOCAL FOOD PROVIDING AGENCY. FOOD ACCESS AND COMMUNITY EDUCATION (FACE) IS AN AREA OF OUR WORK THAT GOES BEYOND SIMPLY PROVIDING EMERGENCY SUPPLIES OF FOOD. THROUGH OUR FOOD ACCESS AND EDUCATION INITIATIVES, WE COLLABORATE WITH OTHER COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS TO ADDRESS THE ROOT CAUSES OF HUNGER THROUGH PROGRAMS LIKE EATFRESH, BEST CHOICES, RAISED BED GARDENS AND SEED TO SUPPER. AT THE FRESH2YOU MOBILE MARKET, CUSTOMERS ARE WELCOME TO USE A VARIETY OF PAYMENT METHODS, INCLUDING SNAP BENEFITS AND FARMERS' MARKET NUTRITION PROGRAM VOUCHERS OFFERED TO WIC PARTICIPANTS AND QUALIFYING SENIORS. ALL PURCHASES MADE WITH NUTRITION PROGRAMS ARE MATCHED WITH CCFB FUNDED VEGGIEBUCKS TO STRETCH SHOPPERS' DOLLARS EVEN FURTHER. OUR AGRICULTURE PROGRAM IS AN HOMAGE TO CHESTER COUNTY'S DEEP AGRICULTURAL HERITAGE. WITH THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF OUR COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, WE ARE ABLE TO GROW THOUSANDS OF POUNDS OF PRODUCE FOR OUR PROGRAMS AT HISTORIC SPRINGTON MANOR FARM. IN ADDITION TO ENGAGING OUR COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS IN THE PLANTING, GROWING AND HARVESTING OF PRODUCE AT SPRINGTON MANOR, WE RAISE SEEDLINGS TO DISTRIBUTE AMONGST OUR RAISED BED GARDEN PARTICIPANTS. WE ALSO MAINTAIN AN AWARD-WINNING RAISED BED DEMO GARDEN ON LOCATION AND HOUSE A LARGE HIGH TUNNEL TO EXTEND OUR GROWING SEASON. THE AGRICULTURE PROGRAM IS RUN BY THREE ON-STAFF GROWERS WHO OVERSEE OPERATIONS AT SPRINGTON MANOR AND OTHER LOCATIONS IN THE COUNTY. DIRECT DISTRIBUTION PROGRAMS FILL GAPS OF NEED FOR THE MOST VULNERABLE IN OUR COMMUNITY. FOR LOW-INCOME CHILDREN IN PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS, OUR BACKPACK PROGRAM PROVIDES A SUPPLY OF NUTRITIOUS FOOD ON FRIDAY AFTERNOONS TO SEND CHILDREN HOME WITH OVER THE WEEKEND. DURING SUMMER MONTHS THE SUMMER STUDENT FOOD BOX PROGRAM AND PRE-MADE SUNSHINE MEALS PROVIDE NUTRITIOUS, EASY-TO-PREPARFOOD TO STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES. THE SENIOR BOX PROGRAM IS CCFB'S RENDITION OF THE FEDERAL COMMODITY SUPPLEMENTAL FOOD PROGRAM (CSFP), BUT FULLY FUNDED BY PRIVATE DONATIONS SO ALL IN NEED CAN PARTICIPATE. NOW SERVING MORE THAN 750 SENIORS PER MONTH, OR 9000 ANNUALLY. CCFB CAN TAILOR BOXES TO MEET THE SPECIFIC DIETARY NEEDS OF OUR COMMUNITY AND LEVERAGE IT AS A POINT OF CONTACT WITH OUR SENIOR COMMUNITY. FROM TIME TO TIME, FOOD INSECURE INDIVIDUALS PRESENT THEMSELVES TO THE FOOD BANK AND WE ARE ABLE TO PROVIDE THEM WITH EMERGENCY FOOD, A 3-DAY SUPPLY OF FOOD, UNTIL THEY CAN CONNECT TO A REGULAR DISTRIBUTION - THIS IS THE FUNCTION OF OUR EMERGENCY FOOD BOX PROGRAM. WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT IS THE NEWEST INITIATIVE OF CHESTER COUNTY FOOD BANK. RECOGNIZING UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT AS ONE OF THE ROOT CAUSES OF FOOD INSECURITY, OUR FRESHSTART KITCHEN CULINARY TEAM PROVIDES INDIVIDUALS EXPERIENCING BARRIERS TO EMPLOYMENT WITH THE KNIFE SKILLS, COOKING, AND LIFE SKILLS TO ENTER A NEW CAREER AND ACHIEVE SELF-EFFICACY. THE PROGRAM PREPARES PARTICIPANTS THROUGH A 10-WEEK CULINARY ARTS TRAINING PROGRAM THAT INCLUDES LIFE SKILLS AND JOB READINESS, INTERNSHIP PLACEMENT AND JOB SEARCH ASSISTANCE. CHESTER COUNTY FOOD BANK IS THE CENTRAL HUNGER-RELIEF ORGANIZATION IN CHESTER COUNTY PENNSYLVANIA. AT OUR CORE, WE PROCURE, DISTRIBUTE, GROW, AND COLLECT FOOD FOR OUR NEIGHBORS EXPERIENCING FOOD INSECURITY IN CHESTER COUNTY. IN FISCAL YEAR 2025 WE DISTRIBUTED 6.1 MILLION POUNDS OF FOOD THROUGH OVER 100 CONSISTENT COMMUNITY PARTNERS, EQUATING TO MORE THAN 4.2 MILLION MEALS. WE ACCOMPLISH THIS THROUGH A VARIETY OF MISSION CRITICAL PROGRAMS IN A FEW STRATEGIC AREAS; FOOD DISTRIBUTION, EDUCATION & WELLNESS, AGRICULTURE, AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT. WE PROCURE FOOD THROUGH A VARIETY OF SOURCES, THESE INCLUDE DONATIONS OF PRODUCT, GOVERNMENT ASSISTED COMMODITIES (TEFAP, PASS, SFPP, LFPA) AND PURCHASED FOOD THROUGH DOLLARS CONTRIBUTED PRIVATELY. THIS ALLOWS US TO DISTRIBUTE FOOD AT NO COST TO PANTRY PARTICIPANTS OR THE COMMUNITY PARTNERS OPERATING THE FOOD CUPBOARDS, MEAL SITES, SHELTERS AND SCHOOLS. AS THE CENTRAL HUNGER-RELIEF ORGANIZATION, WE ARE ABLE TO ENSURE A MORE EQUITABLE DISTRIBUTION OF RESOURCES THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY, REGARDLESS OF AN INDIVIDUAL COMMUNITY'S SUPPORT OF THEIR LOCAL FOOD PROVIDING AGENCY. FOOD ACCESS AND COMMUNITY EDUCATION (FACE) IS AN AREA OF OUR WORK THAT GOES BEYOND SIMPLY PROVIDING EMERGENCY SUPPLIES OF FOOD. THROUGH OUR FOOD ACCESS AND EDUCATION INITIATIVES, WE COLLABORATE WITH OTHER COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS TO ADDRESS THE ROOT CAUSES OF HUNGER THROUGH PROGRAMS LIKE EATFRESH, BEST CHOICES, RAISED BED GARDENS AND SEED TO SUPPER. AT THE FRESH2YOU MOBILE MARKET, CUSTOMERS ARE WELCOME TO USE A VARIETY OF PAYMENT METHODS, INCLUDING SNAP BENEFITS AND FARMERS' MARKET NUTRITION PROGRAM VOUCHERS OFFERED TO WIC PARTICIPANTS AND QUALIFYING SENIORS. ALL PURCHASES MADE WITH NUTRITION PROGRAMS ARE MATCHED WITH CCFB FUNDED VEGGIEBUCKS TO STRETCH SHOPPERS' DOLLARS EVEN FURTHER. OUR AGRICULTURE PROGRAM IS AN HOMAGE TO CHESTER COUNTY'S DEEP AGRICULTURAL HER

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since October 2009.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.