The Lodi Meal Project was launched in 2026 to partner with locally owned restaurants and nonprofit organizations to provide nutritious, locally prepared meals to individuals and families in the Lodi area experiencing food insecurity, while also supporting local small businesses. Every gift becomes a meal.

This initiative keeps philanthropic dollars circulating in Lodi, strengthens our local economy, and expands food access without increasing overhead for nonprofit partners.

How the Lodi Meal Project Works

→ Donations are made to the Lodi Meal Project.
→ Approved local restaurant partners prepare chef-crafted, nutritious meals.
→ Nonprofit organizations distribute meals to neighbors in need.

When a nonprofit request is approved, the organization receives a list of approved restaurant partners. The nonprofit works directly with the restaurant to select an appropriate menu for the individuals being served. The Lodi Meal Project pays the restaurant directly at market rate for the meals.

It is truly a win-win! Local businesses are supported while neighbors experiencing food insecurity receive nutritious, complete meals.

The Lodi Meal Project provides meals for charitable purposes and community based programs.

Who May Apply:

→ Must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in good standing

→ Or requesting meals for a clearly defined charitable purpose

Typical Meal Orders:

→ Most approved requests range from 20 to 50 meals.

→ Larger meal requests may be considered based on available funding and the restaurant’s ability to fulfill the order.

Timeline:

→ All requests must be submitted at least two weeks prior to your planned event.

How Meals May Be Used

Meals may support:

→ Program activities

→ Outreach events

→ Community convenings

→ Program enhancements where meals are provided to individuals, children, and families experiencing food insecurity

→ Situations where participants would otherwise not have the ability to afford a complete, nutritious chef prepared meal

The Lodi Meal Project cannot support:

→ Offsetting existing food service budgets or ongoing/standing meal programs

→ Situations in which meals are provided to recipients outside the program’s intended beneficiaries

👉 CLICK HERE to submit a nonprofit meal request for your event.

👉 CLICK HERE to download the Lodi Meal Project flyer.

Note: Submitting a request does not guarantee approval. Requests are reviewed based on alignment with the program’s purpose, availability of funding, and the number of requests currently in the queue.

If you have questions, please contact us.

Are you a locally owned restaurant interested in becoming a partner?

The Lodi Meal Project partners exclusively with restaurants that:

→ Are locally owned

→ Are headquartered and based in the Lodi area

→ Are not chain restaurants

Approved restaurants benefit from consistent community visibility and direct payment at market rate for prepared meals.

👉 Contact us to learn how to become a restaurant partner.

👉 CLICK HERE to download a flyer to display in your restaurant so customers can donate to the Lodi Meal Project.