About Us

@FoodlinkNY

About Foodlink

We are the regional food bank for the Genesee Valley and Finger Lakes region in New York.  As a member of the Feeding America network of food banks, Foodlink rescues and redistributes nearly million pounds of food annually over 500 human service agencies.  While the distribution of food to reduce hunger remains the foundation of our activities, our true vision is more holistic:  to end hunger, build self-sufficiency, and foster nutritional wellness.

About Tom

Thomas C. Ferraro (Tom), Executive Director, Foodlink. Tom founded Foodlink in 1978 when he appeared on a local television station making a communitywide holiday appeal for food to support the growing number of emergency food pantries in the area. From this initial appeal, the concept of formal food banking grew into Foodlink’s current large full-scale operation including a 100,000 square foot warehouse, fleet of refrigerated trucks and computerized inventory. Tom was on the original America’s Second Harvest Board of Directors to develop the concept of food banking nationally and assisted in the formation of the other 7 New York State food banks. Under Tom’s leadership Foodlink has moved beyond the symptom of hunger by working toward solutions of the problem including job training, launching a Fulfillment Center to spur economic development, conducting emergency provider training to provide more than free food to those in need, incorporating nutrition and health education, and emphasizing child nutrition efforts.