How it all began ...

'The English Muffin Story'

In 1978, (future Foodlink founder) Tom Ferraro was working for Action for a Better Community when he received funding to launch a Community Food and Nutrition Program. He went on the local news (the Eddie Meath Show) to make a community-wide appeal for food to support the growing number of emergency food pantries in the area. He received a call for a food donation from the warehouse manager at Thomas’ English Muffins.

On Dec. 19, 1978, Tom arrived at the warehouse in his wood-paneled station wagon to pick up the muffins, only to discover he’d actually need a much larger vehicle to haul away the generous donation. Since he did not have access to a truck, Tom borrowed an ABC Head Start school bus—and filled it completely!

And thus the Genesee Valley Regional Food Clearinghouse, which changed its name to Foodlink in 1991, was created with the mission to rescue and redistribute food from manufacturers, retailers, and other donors to human-service organizations. 

Foodlink honors Ferraro and that first English Muffin donation each year on December 19, which is affectionately called “Muffin Day.”

The beginning
While working for Action for a Better Community (ABC), founder Tom Ferraro rescues a busload of English Muffins to redistribute to those in need.
1978
Wegmans
The Genesee Valley Regional Food Clearinghouse (Foodlink’s original name), begins its partnership with Wegmans Food Markets.
1979
Feeding America
Ferraro and others help establish a national food bank network known today as Feeding America.
1979
Incorporated
Genesee Valley Regional Food Clearinghouse (GVRFC) incorporates as an independent charity.
1983
West Ave.
Wegmans donates a building on West Avenue, which allows the GVRFC to greatly expand its warehousing space.
1988
New moniker
GVRFC is renamed Foodlink.
1991
Kids Cafe
Foodlink begins one of the first after-school meal programs in the nation.
1993
Exchange Street
Foodlink moves to 936 Exchange Street, a property donated by the Kolko Family.
1999
Community Kitchen
Foodlink establishes a Community Kitchen in an effort to raise the bar for institutional food service.
2001
Cooking Matters
Foodlink becomes a lead partner for Cooking Matters – a national nutrition education program.
2011
Farming on Lexington Ave.
Foodlink begins leasing land to establish the Lexington Avenue Urban Farm.
2011
The big move
Foodlink moves from Exchange Stree to Mt. Read Boulevard.
2012
New social enterprise
Foodlink begins slicing NYS apples in its kitchen on Joseph Avenue, providing healthy snacks for schools, while supporting local growers.
2012
Curbside Market debuts
The Curbside Market debuts, providing new access points for healthy produce in underserved neighborhoods.
2013
The passing of an icon
Foodlink founder and visionary Tom Ferraro passes away.
2014
New leadership
Julia Tedesco is named Executive Director.
2015
Kitchen expansion
Relocation and construction is completed for the $4.9 million, 28,000-square-foot Foodlink Community Kitchen.
2016
Foodlink Career Fellowship
Foodlink launches the Foodlink Career Fellowship, a culinary training program designed to prepare individuals for middle-skills jobs in the regional food industry.
2018
COVID-19 Response
Foodlink responds to the COVID-19 pandemic with increased meal production and additional food distributions to address a sharp rise in need.
2020
Cafe opens!
The Foodlink Community Cafe launches in the downtown Central Library, providing an excellent training opportunity for Fellows, and an affordable meal option for a diverse customer base.
2021
A decade of fresh, affordable & convenient service!
The Curbside Market celebrates its 10-year anniversary!
2023

Tom Ferraro's Legacy

FOUNDER, VISIONARY, SOCIAL ENTREPRENEUR

One of the nation’s first food bankers, Tom Ferraro understood that “no one woke up hungry on any given day without something else having gone wrong first.” His early commitment to addressing both the symptom and causes of food insecurity, and his belief that charity alone could not end hunger, helped evolve Foodlink from humble beginnings into one of the most innovative food banks in the nation.

Among his many accomplishments, Tom served on the board of Feeding America (then named Second Harvest) when it was created in 1979, he helped create a network of food banks across New York State, and advocated for funding for the launch of the Hunger Prevention and Nutrition Assistance Program (HPNAP), which provides critical assistance for hunger-relief organizations across the state.

He was a trailblazer, a risk-taker, and a true social entrepreneur. His laughter, wisdom and spirit will be forever missed.

Video tribute