Emergency Food Network (EFN) began as a program in 1982 when the leadership of FISH Food Banks, Tacoma Rescue Mission, Salvation Army, and Associated Ministries recognized a great need in our community to resource emergency food collectively. Originally designed to meet a temporary need caused by the economic recession of the 1980’s, it became apparent in the early 1990’s that the need for such a community service had grown. In response, EFN became an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in 1991.

In order to provide our Partner Programs with a consistent, diverse, and nutritious food supply, EFN uses the following service delivery model:

• Collects, stores and distributes donated, purchased and government food at our Distribution Center.
• Purchases seven staple food items in bulk through our Co-op Food Purchasing Program.
• Grows organic fruit and vegetables at our eight-acre Mother Earth Farm.
• Repackages donated and purchased bulk food into family-sized bags through our Repack Project.
• Distributes bags of food to students receiving free and reduced lunch each extended school break through our Break Bag Program. 

The mission of Emergency Food Network of Tacoma and Pierce County is to provide Pierce County with a consistent, diverse, and nutrititious food supply so that no person goes hungry. 

As the central nonprofit food distributor serving Pierce County, EFN makes the emergency food system more efficient. EFN distributes more than one million pounds of food each month and provides our Partner Programs with more than 55% of the food they provide their clients each year. Additionally, EFN assists our Partner Programs with best practice guidance, technical assistance, and networking with other agencies. EFN’s Partner Program Manager helps agencies file reports and maintain their budgets and staff has helped our Partner Programs secure forklifts, delivery vans, coolers, and farm stands.

In Pierce Coubnty, 1 in 7 households are food insecure, meaning they lack consistent access to affordable and nutritious food. Children are more likely to experience food insecurity, with 1 in 5 children living in a food insecure household. Food insecure households often face the tough choice between paying for food and other basic needs, such as housing and utilities. When a household has access to food from one of our Partner Programs, they can use their limited income to pay for other basic needs. Our goal is that every food pantry guest will be able to leave with enough food for nine meals.

Board Members

Mark Winter (Chair), CEO & Owner, WinSource Group

Doug Baxter-Jenkins, Community Integration Program Manager, Virginia Mason Franciscan Health

Brianne Tyler (Treasurer), Senior Manager, Stonebridge Valuation, LLC.

Ingrid Gourley Mungia (Secretary), Executive Director of Government Relations, MultiCare Health System

Alice Phillips (Past Chair), Business Manager/Financial Secretary, IBEW Local 483

Julie Jordan-Walsh, Human Resources Manager, Boeing Company

Andrea Tull Davis, Senior Director of Government and External Relations, Coordinated Care

Pete Lantz, Director of Sales, Raymond West

Sharon Snuffin, President, Snuffin’s Catering

Kevin Healey, Telecom Engineer, TrueBlue Inc.

Eric Gilman, Partner, Gordon Thomas Honeywell, LLP

Julie Boyd, Assistant Director Treasury and Cash Management, Cambia Health Solutions

Chad Maiuri, SVP South Sound District Manager, Heritage Bank