Food At First – Food Distribution Center

Food At First is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in Ames, Iowa, dedicated to combating hunger and food insecurity through daily free meals and a perishable food distribution program called the Free Market. Founded in 2004 and located at 611 Clark Avenue in the basement of First Christian Church, Food At First serves the surrounding community by recovering surplus food from local grocery stores, restaurants, and Iowa State University that would otherwise be discarded, transforming it into wholesome meals and fresh groceries available to anyone in need, no questions asked. In 2024, the organization served over 58,600 individuals through the Free Market and provided 33,700 meals through its daily meal program.