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Food Connection Inc

EIN 81-4190128 · Asheville, NC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood75 out of 100GovernanceGood85 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

FOOD CONNECTION EASES FOOD INSECURITY AND REDUCES WASTE BY REDISTRIBUTING SURPLUS PREPARED FOOD AND CONNECTING IT TO COMMUNITIES IN NEED.

Income
$3.1 million
Spending
$2.7 million
Spent on programs
90%
Reserves
1.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 94%
Employees
18
Volunteers
275
Highest pay
$81,790, executive di

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 50% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 13% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 23% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    90% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 48% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 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

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 December 31, 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 (3)
  1. $2.2 million spent. FOOD DISTRIBUTION PROGRAMS. FOOD CONNECTION DISTRIBUTED 226,193 NO-COST, CHEF-PREPARED MEALS ACROSS WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA THROUGH TWO COMPLEMENTARY SERVICE CHANNELS. MOBILE MEALS REPACKAGED RESCUED PREPARED FOOD INTO INDIVIDUALLY PORTIONED, LABELED, READY-TO-HEAT MEALS AND DISTRIBUTED 106,171 MEALS THROUGH PUBLIC ROUTES, NEIGHBORHOOD SITES, AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS SERVING RURAL AND TRANSPORTATION-LIMITED RESIDENTS, CHILDREN AND FAMILIES, OLDER ADULTS, PEOPLE IN RECOVERY OR TRANSITIONAL HOUSING, UNSHELTERED NEIGHBORS, AND HOUSEHOLDS AFFECTED BY HURRICANE HELENE. THE AGENCY SUPPORT PROGRAM DISTRIBUTED 120,022 MEALS IN BULK TO NONPROFIT, FAITH-BASED, RECOVERY, SHELTER, YOUTH, SENIOR, AND OTHER COMMUNITY PARTNERS FOR USE WITHIN THEIR EXISTING SERVICES. TOGETHER, THESE PROGRAMS PROVIDED DIGNIFIED, LOW-BARRIER ACCESS TO USABLE MEALS WHILE HELPING HOUSEHOLDS AND PARTNER AGENCIES PRESERVE LIMITED RESOURCES FOR HOUSING, HEALTH CARE, TRANSPORTATION, CHILDCARE, RECOVERY, AND OTHER ESSENTIAL NEEDS. FOOD DISTRIBUTION PROGRAMS. FOOD CONNECTION DISTRIBUTED 226,193 NO-COST, CHEF-PREPARED MEALS ACROSS WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA THROUGH TWO COMPLEMENTARY SERVICE CHANNELS. MOBILE MEALS REPACKAGED RESCUED PREPARED FOOD INTO INDIVIDUALLY PORTIONED, LABELED, READY-TO-HEAT MEALS AND DISTRIBUTED 106,171 MEALS THROUGH PUBLIC ROUTES, NEIGHBORHOOD SITES, AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS SERVING RURAL AND TRANSPORTATION-LIMITED RESIDENTS, CHILDREN AND FAMILIES, OLDER ADULTS, PEOPLE IN RECOVERY OR TRANSITIONAL HOUSING, UNSHELTERED NEIGHBORS, AND HOUSEHOLDS AFFECTED BY HURRICANE HELENE. THE AGENCY SUPPORT PROGRAM DISTRIBUTED 120,022 MEALS IN BULK TO NONPROFIT, FAITH-BASED, RECOVERY, SHELTER, YOUTH, SENIOR, AND OTHER COMMUNITY PARTNERS FOR USE WITHIN THEIR EXISTING SERVICES. TOGETHER, THESE PROGRAMS PROVIDED DIGNIFIED, LOW-BARRIER ACCESS TO USABLE MEALS WHILE HELPING HOUSEHOLDS AND PARTNER AGENCIES PRESERVE LIMITED RESOURCES FOR HOUSING, HEALTH CARE, TRANSPORTATION, CHILDCARE, RECOVERY, AND OTHER ESSENTIAL NEEDS.
  2. $180,858 spent. FOOD RESCUE AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PROGRAMS. FOOD CONNECTION RECOVERED SURPLUS PREPARED FOOD FROM HOTELS, RESTAURANTS, CATERERS, HOSPITALS, UNIVERSITIES, CAMPS, CONFERENCE CENTERS, EVENT VENUES, AND OTHER INSTITUTIONAL KITCHENS AND MOVED IT RAPIDLY AND SAFELY INTO MOBILE MEALS AND AGENCY SUPPORT CHANNELS. STAFF AND TRAINED VOLUNTEERS COORDINATED DONOR COMMUNICATION, TEMPERATURE CONTROL, COLD-CHAIN STORAGE, PACKAGING, LABELING, PICKUPS, ROUTING, AND LAST-MILE DELIVERY. IN 2025, FOOD CONNECTION TRACKED 224,864 POUNDS OF FOOD RESCUED OR OTHERWISE DIVERTED FROM LANDFILL, WITH EDIBLE PREPARED FOOD PRIORITIZED FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION AND LIMITED NON-DONATABLE MATERIAL DIRECTED TO OTHER BENEFICIAL USES. THE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PROGRAM RECRUITED, TRAINED, SCHEDULED, ENGAGED, AND RETAINED VOLUNTEERS; SUPPORTED NEIGHBORHOOD, BUSINESS, AND CIVIC PARTICIPATION; AND RAISED AWARENESS ABOUT FOOD INSECURITY AND FOOD WASTE. DURING THE YEAR, 275 VOLUNTEERS CONTRIBUTED 6,478.5 HOURS, EXPANDING RESCUE AND DISTRIBUTION CAPACITY AND STRENGTHENING COMMUNITY OWNERSHIP OF THE REGIONAL FOOD-ACCESS SYSTEM. FOOD RESCUE AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PROGRAMS. FOOD CONNECTION RECOVERED SURPLUS PREPARED FOOD FROM HOTELS, RESTAURANTS, CATERERS, HOSPITALS, UNIVERSITIES, CAMPS, CONFERENCE CENTERS, EVENT VENUES, AND OTHER INSTITUTIONAL KITCHENS AND MOVED IT RAPIDLY AND SAFELY INTO MOBILE MEALS AND AGENCY SUPPORT CHANNELS. STAFF AND TRAINED VOLUNTEERS COORDINATED DONOR COMMUNICATION, TEMPERATURE CONTROL, COLD-CHAIN STORAGE, PACKAGING, LABELING, PICKUPS, ROUTING, AND LAST-MILE DELIVERY. IN 2025, FOOD CONNECTION TRACKED 224,864 POUNDS OF FOOD RESCUED OR OTHERWISE DIVERTED FROM LANDFILL, WITH EDIBLE PREPARED FOOD PRIORITIZED FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION AND LIMITED NON-DONATABLE MATERIAL DIRECTED TO OTHER BENEFICIAL USES. THE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PROGRAM RECRUITED, TRAINED, SCHEDULED, ENGAGED, AND RETAINED VOLUNTEERS; SUPPORTED NEIGHBORHOOD, BUSINESS, AND CIVIC PARTICIPATION; AND RAISED AWARENESS ABOUT FOOD INSECURITY AND FOOD WASTE. DURING THE YEAR, 275 VOLUNTEERS CONTRIBUTED 6,478.5 HOURS, EXPANDING RESCUE AND DISTRIBUTION CAPACITY AND STRENGTHENING COMMUNITY OWNERSHIP OF THE REGIONAL FOOD-ACCESS SYSTEM.
  3. $12,301 spent. MENTORSHIP AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS. FOOD CONNECTION SUPPORTED OTHER COMMUNITIES AND ORGANIZATIONS SEEKING TO ESTABLISH OR STRENGTHEN FOOD RESCUE, FOOD REDISTRIBUTION, MOBILE MEALS, AND RELATED EDUCATION INITIATIVES. DURING 2025, STAFF DOCUMENTED AND SHARED PRACTICAL GUIDANCE CONCERNING FOOD-DONOR DEVELOPMENT, FOOD SAFETY, TEMPERATURE CONTROL, MEAL PACKAGING, VOLUNTEER RECRUITMENT AND COORDINATION, ROUTE LOGISTICS, DATA TRACKING, AGENCY PARTNERSHIPS, LOW-BARRIER MEAL DISTRIBUTION, AND COMMUNITY EDUCATION ABOUT FOOD INSECURITY AND FOOD WASTE. FOOD CONNECTION ALSO CONTINUED DEVELOPING A REUSABLE REPLICATION FRAMEWORK AND EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES SO NONPROFIT LEADERS, COMMUNITY COALITIONS, HOSPITALITY PARTNERS, AND EMERGING FOOD-RECOVERY PROGRAMS CAN ADAPT ITS DIGNITY-CENTERED PREPARED-MEAL MODEL TO LOCAL CONDITIONS. THIS WORK IS INTENDED TO BUILD PEER CAPACITY, IMPROVE THE SAFETY AND EFFICIENCY OF FOOD RECOVERY, AND EXTEND THE COMMUNITY BENEFIT OF SURPLUS PREPARED FOOD BEYOND FOOD CONNECTION'S DIRECT SERVICE AREA. MENTORSHIP AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS. FOOD CONNECTION SUPPORTED OTHER COMMUNITIES AND ORGANIZATIONS SEEKING TO ESTABLISH OR STRENGTHEN FOOD RESCUE, FOOD REDISTRIBUTION, MOBILE MEALS, AND RELATED EDUCATION INITIATIVES. DURING 2025, STAFF DOCUMENTED AND SHARED PRACTICAL GUIDANCE CONCERNING FOOD-DONOR DEVELOPMENT, FOOD SAFETY, TEMPERATURE CONTROL, MEAL PACKAGING, VOLUNTEER RECRUITMENT AND COORDINATION, ROUTE LOGISTICS, DATA TRACKING, AGENCY PARTNERSHIPS, LOW-BARRIER MEAL DISTRIBUTION, AND COMMUNITY EDUCATION ABOUT FOOD INSECURITY AND FOOD WASTE. FOOD CONNECTION ALSO CONTINUED DEVELOPING A REUSABLE REPLICATION FRAMEWORK AND EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES SO NONPROFIT LEADERS, COMMUNITY COALITIONS, HOSPITALITY PARTNERS, AND EMERGING FOOD-RECOVERY PROGRAMS CAN ADAPT ITS DIGNITY-CENTERED PREPARED-MEAL MODEL TO LOCAL CONDITIONS. THIS WORK IS INTENDED TO BUILD PEER CAPACITY, IMPROVE THE SAFETY AND EFFICIENCY OF FOOD RECOVERY, AND EXTEND THE COMMUNITY BENEFIT OF SURPLUS PREPARED FOOD BEYOND FOOD CONNECTION'S DIRECT SERVICE AREA.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 November 6, 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 December 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 2016.

    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 November 4, 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.