Food Literacy Center
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
OUR MISSION IS TO INSPIRE KIDS TO EAT THEIR VEGETABLES. WE TEACH CHILDREN IN LOW-INCOME ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS COOKING, NUTRITION, GARDENING, AND ACTIVE PLAY TO IMPROVE OUR HEALTH, ENVIRONMENT, AND ECONOMY.
- Income
- $1.4 million
- Spending
- $1.4 million
- Spent on programs
- 82%
- Reserves
- 15 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 54%
- Employees
- 14
- Volunteers
- 369
- Highest pay
- $186,432, ceo
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 78% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 15.0 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 3% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 0% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 56% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1582% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 12 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 257 of 8 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 (2)
- $864,633 spent. FOR 42% OF SACRAMENTO ELEMENTARY CHILDREN WHO ARE FOOD AND NUTRITION INSECURE AND AT RISK FOR DIET-RELATED DISEASE, FOOD LITERACY CENTER IS THE ONLY PROVIDER OF HANDS-ON FOOD AND NUTRITION EDUCATION TO INSPIRE KIDS TO EAT THEIR VEGETABLES AND BUILD HEALTHY HABITS. WE SHOW UP EVERY DAY WITH JOY AND BRAVERY TO PROVIDE RELIABLE, INCLUSIVE FOOD AND NUTRITION EDUCATION FOR KIDS WHO NEED IT MOST. WE INSPIRE KIDS TO EAT THEIR VEGETABLES! WE TEACH CHILDREN IN LOW-INCOME ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS COOKING, NUTRITION, GARDENING, AND ACTIVE PLAY TO IMPROVE LIFELONG WELLNESS.WE CREATE POWER THROUGH KNOWLEDGE ABOUT FOOD AND NUTRITION TO BUILD FLOURISHING AND HEALTHY COMMUNITIES.WHERE YOU LIVE AFFECTS HEALTH. FOOD AND NUTRITION EDUCATION CREATES FOOD EQUITY, ESPECIALLY IN COMMUNITIES AT HIGHEST RISK FOR DIET-RELATED DISEASES. BY TEACHING YOUNG STUDENTS HOW TO GROW, COOK, AND EAT THEIR VEGETABLES, WE'RE ESTABLISHING HEALTHY HABITS THAT SUPPORT A LIFETIME OF SUCCESS.BE PART OF THE SOLUTION: MAKE A DONATION OR VOLUNTEER. EMAIL: INFO@FOODLITERACYCENTER.ORG
- $253,221 spent. THE OAK PARK FARMERS MARKET SERVES 1,500 VISITORS WEEKLY, IT ADDRESSES LOCAL FOOD DESERTS BY OFFERING FRESH PRODUCE FROM SMALL, DIVERSE FARMS. THE MARKET SUPPORTS LOW-INCOME FAMILIES BY MATCHING EBT (FOOD STAMPS) SALES UP TO $20, ALIGNING WITH THE CENTER'S MISSION TO PROMOTE HEALTHY EATING AND COMMUNITY HEALTH.OUR ANNUAL REPORT IS PUBLISHED ON OUR WEBSITE AND LISTS PROGRAM EVALUATION DATA AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
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.
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.
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.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since September 2012.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.