Food Lifeline

✍️ LargestCharities Editorial Team | 📅 Last updated: June 2026

Food Lifeline is the primary food bank for western Washington, supplying more than 400 food banks, meal programs, and shelters across 17 counties around Seattle. As a Feeding America member, it operates at large scale, with a strong emphasis on rescuing surplus food from farms, manufacturers, and retailers and getting it to the agencies that feed people. Stephen Davis became President and CEO in October 2025, arriving from Harvesters, the community food network in Kansas City, and is a Washington native.

HeadquartersSeattle, WA
President & CEOStephen Davis (since 2025)
Service area17 counties of western Washington
NetworkFeeding America member
ModelLarge-scale food rescue
Reach400+ food banks, meal programs, shelters
Websitefoodlifeline.org
Leadership note: Stephen Davis became President and CEO in October 2025, returning to his home state from Harvesters in Kansas City. Food Lifeline supplies 400+ agencies across western Washington. Find help, donate, or volunteer at foodlifeline.org.
Donate → Volunteer

What Food Lifeline does

Food Lifeline works as the wholesale supplier behind hunger relief in western Washington, sourcing food at large scale and distributing it to more than 400 frontline agencies. A large share of its supply comes from food rescue: surplus from farms, food manufacturers, distributors, and grocery retailers that would otherwise go to waste. By aggregating and redistributing that food, it keeps the region’s pantries and meal programs stocked while keeping usable food out of landfills.

Leadership: Stephen Davis

Stephen Davis became President and CEO in October 2025. A Washington native with a degree in food science and human nutrition from Washington State University, he returned home from Harvesters, the community food network serving the Kansas City region, where he had been CEO. He succeeded longtime leader Linda Nageotte, who left to become President and COO of the national Feeding America organization.

Who it serves

Food Lifeline covers western Washington, the 17 counties around Seattle, including King, Pierce, Snohomish, Skagit, and Whatcom. This is the most populous part of the state, where high housing costs in the Seattle metro push working families into food insecurity even as the regional economy booms.

Is it legitimate? Ratings and finances

Yes. Food Lifeline is a registered 501(c)(3) and a Feeding America member with a long operating record. Donors can review its financials through Charity Navigator and GuideStar. Its food-rescue model is efficient by design, converting donated surplus into meals at low cost.

How to donate and volunteer

Donations and volunteer shifts run through foodlifeline.org. Volunteers sort and repack rescued food at large scale, and cash gifts go furthest because so much of the supply is donated surplus.

How it compares with other Washington food banks

Food Lifeline covers the western counties around Seattle, while Northwest Harvest is the statewide food bank reaching all 39 counties. The two complement each other across the region. For anyone in the Seattle metro or western Washington, Food Lifeline is a central organization.

Programs

Food rescue

Recovers surplus from farms, manufacturers, and retailers at scale.

Partner network

400+ food banks, meal programs, and shelters supplied.

Hunger Intervention programs

Targeted distributions for children and vulnerable groups.

Advocacy

Anti-hunger policy work alongside food distribution.

By the numbers

Frequently asked questions

What is Food Lifeline?
The primary food bank for western Washington, supplying 400+ agencies across 17 counties around Seattle, with a strong food-rescue focus. A Feeding America member. Site: foodlifeline.org.
Who runs it?
Stephen Davis became President and CEO in October 2025, returning to his home state from Harvesters in Kansas City. He succeeded Linda Nageotte, now President and COO of Feeding America.
How is it different from Northwest Harvest?
Food Lifeline focuses on western Washington and large-scale food rescue, while Northwest Harvest is the statewide food bank covering all 39 counties. The two complement each other.
Is it a good charity?
It is a 501(c)(3) and Feeding America member. Its food-rescue model converts donated surplus into meals efficiently.
How can I help?
Donate or volunteer at foodlifeline.org. Volunteers sort and repack rescued food.

Sources: Food Lifeline website (foodlifeline.org), and 2025 reporting from KOMO News and Food Bank News on the appointment of Stephen Davis. We are not affiliated with Food Lifeline and receive no compensation for this listing. Spotted an error? [email protected]

More Washington and food-bank resources