Frequently asked Questions

Urban Recipe is an Atlanta-based nonprofit that connects families to free food through member-led food cooperatives (co-ops). Unlike a food pantry, co-ops meet every two weeks at the same time and location, so families always know when they’ll get food and have a community they can count on. 

At a traditional food pantry, people visit when they need food, get what’s available and leave. Urban Recipe’s free food cooperatives (co-ops) work differently. Co-ops meet every two weeks at the same time and location. Members lead their own co-ops, sorting and distributing food together and making decisions collectively. Families always know when they’ll get food and have a community they can count on.

Approximately 90% of Urban Recipe’s food comes from the Atlanta Community Food Bank through a special purchasing partnership. Urban Recipe also receives donations from the Midwest Food Bank, Food Well Alliance, Second Helpings Atlanta, Bagel Rescue, and corporate, church, and school donors, and purchases supplemental food from Sam’s Club, The Common Market, Retaaza, and Georgia Peach Truck.

At the end of your training, you will be Urban Recipe Certified and have the resources, support and knowledge needed to coordinate a co-op in your community. We recommend at least two members of your community complete the training in order to best staff your co-op.

Urban Recipe food co-ops connect families in metro Atlanta to free food and a community where they can build lasting relationships. Members meet every two weeks and sort and share a variety of frozen and non-perishable foods, fresh produce and household goods. Each person contributes to the group however they can, from sorting food and breaking down boxes to welcoming members. Each co-op is governed by an elected member steering committee. On average, co-op members save $8,000 – $12,000 per year on groceries. 

To join an Urban Recipe Food Co-op, you must meet four criteria: 

1. Dedicated – members commit to volunteering at meetings, communicating with leadership, arriving on time and uplifting the dignity of fellow members.

2. In Need – members self-state a need for food support. No documentation is required. 

3. Housed – members must have a place to store and cook food, including access to a kitchen. 

4. Mobile – members must have reliable transportation to get to and from co-op meetings, whether by car, bus, bike or on foot. 

You can apply online by completing this form or by calling 404-590-2186.

At each Urban Recipe co-op meeting, members receive a variety of shelf-stable goods, frozen food, and when available, meat, fresh produce and household items. Food is distributed equitably based on household size and is enough to supplement the household for two weeks.

Urban Recipe’s Mobile Pantry provides short-term food support to families in metro Atlanta by distributing free food boxes through partner community organizations. Boxes are either non-perishable, containing canned goods, grains and snack items, or frozen, containing protein, vegetables, bread and/or entrees. The free food boxes are available to anyone who needs them. You can find a list of upcoming Mobile Pantry distributions here.

If you’re looking for longer-term food support, Urban Recipe’s member-led food co-ops may be a better fit. Learn more here. 

Urban Recipe is not actively adding new Mobile Pantry partners at this time. If your organization wants to provide consistent food access to families in your community, Urban Recipe’s Cooperative Pathway Program (CPP) may be a better fit. Learn more here.

Coming soon.

Submit an application for Urban Recipe’s Cooperative Pathway Program here. If selected, you will meet with the Urban Recipe team to learn more about the co-op model before making a commitment. 

There are two ways to volunteer with Urban Recipe:

1. Pack & Prep: Volunteers support the mobile pantry program and co-op distributions by assembling boxes, filling boxes with groceries, packaging boxes securely for distribution, assisting in maintaining inventory, light cleaning, and assorted tasks.
2. Pallet Prep: Volunteers work as a team, filling pallets with boxes, organizing and helping check inventory and using a pallet jack. You don’t need previous training or a certification.

To volunteer as an individual, click here.
To volunteer as a group (up to 50 people), email volunteer@urbanrecipe.org to coordinate scheduling.

Yes. Urban Recipe recommends volunteers ages 7 and up. Children younger than 7 may attend with a 1:1 adult-to-child ratio at the parent’s discretion. Student groups are welcome at middle school age and above with adequate chaperones. To schedule a youth group, email volunteer@urbanrecipe.org.

Yes. Urban Recipe is happy to provide any paperwork needed to verify court-ordered volunteer hours.

You can make a one-time or recurring donation to Urban Recipe here.

Yes. Urban Recipe’s monthly giving program is called the Recipe Club. Monthly giving helps Urban Recipe plan ahead and better utilize its resources. Learn more here.

Yes. If you or your organization is interested in organizing a food or hygiene drive for Urban Recipe, please contact Jamillah Gilmore(jamillahgilmore@urbanrecipe.org) for guidelines.