Berkeley Food Pantry set to close after merger with Berkeley Food Network collapses

"For 56 years, the Berkeley Food Pantry has been a lifeline for Berkeley and Albany residents facing food insecurity. Now, the service is set to end after failed merger negotiations. On Dec. 3, Berkeley Food Pantry officials announced that the organization will cease operations after Jan. 31, 2026, with its last day of grocery distribution set for Jan. 30. The announcement comes after Nosh reported in July about a plan for the pantry to merge with the Berkeley Food Network (BFN)."

"In a joint statement released by BFN and the pantry's oversight committee, officials stated that the two organizations mutually agreed to end merger negotiations and close the pantry. In the statement they say it became evident that the structural requirements for a successful transition and continued operation of the pantry exceeded the current capacity of both parties. The statement cited the recent government shutdown, surging need for food assistance, and lack of bandwidth among the church's aging congregation as key factors for the decision."

"The pantry, located at 1600 Sacramento St., has been operating out of the Berkeley Friends Church since 1969. In July, the California Association of Food Banks, estimated that over 175,000 people in Alameda County receive CalFresh (SNAP), but in a presentation shared with the Alameda County Board of Supervisors on Oct. 25, staff said that the number was closer to 179,000."

Berkeley Food Pantry will end operations with grocery distribution ending Jan. 30 and the organization ceasing Jan. 31, 2026. Berkeley Food Network and the pantry's oversight committee mutually ended merger negotiations after determining structural requirements for transition exceeded both organizations' capacity. Officials cited the recent 43-day federal government shutdown, sharply increased demand for food assistance, and limited volunteer bandwidth among the church's aging congregation. The pantry has operated from Berkeley Friends Church at 1600 Sacramento St. since 1969. Alameda County SNAP enrollment is estimated at about 179,000, and pantry visits rose 36% this year to 47,589 from 34,778.

Read at www.berkeleyside.org