Since 1979, Community Action Partnership of Orange County’s OC Food Bank has been delivering essential food to communities facing food insecurity. Now, 46 years later, the OC Food Bank partners with over 200 charities, soup kitchens, and community organizations dedicated to ending hunger throughout Orange County.
What started as a drive to collect shelf-stable canned and boxed goods has evolved dramatically. In 2024 alone, the OC Food Bank distributed more than 28 million pounds of food, with 5 million pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables to those in need. Beyond quantity, the OC Food Bank strives to offer culturally relevant foods tailored to the diverse communities it serves, ensuring that every individual receives food that fits their needs.
This vital work is made possible through the California state-funded CalFood program, which has helped make fresh produce accessible in situations where it would otherwise be out of reach. However, this crucial funding is now at risk, as state officials consider budget allocations for 2025-2026.
While the benefits of CalFood are evident through daily operations, its true impact shines through our partnership with Sunterra Produce.
The team at Sunterra Produce, led by founder Steve Brazeel, first connected with Community Action Partnership of Orange County and its OC Food Bank amid the supply chain disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. As a California grower and distributor of fresh produce for over 20 years, Sunterra Produce faced a massive hit when sales to restaurants, schools, and hotels—accounting for roughly 70% of their business—came to a sudden halt.
Then, in May 2020, the U.S. Department of Agriculture launched the one-year Farmers to Families Food Box Program, transforming Sunterra Produce’s operations by redirecting fresh fruits and vegetables to hunger relief efforts.
Seeking a community partner, Brazeel reached out to California farm advocate and former Secretary of Agriculture, A.G. Kawamura for advice. “A.G. said, I am going to give you one phone number to call, and they’ll take care of everything. Call Mark Lowry at the Orange County Food Bank.”
This connection revealed the vast needs of local food banks. When Brazeel asked how much product they could provide, the response was 20 truckloads—20, 18-wheeler truckloads. “That blew my mind,” said Brazeel. “I thought of Orange County as this high-income area.” The collaboration extended beyond the OC Food Bank, too. “What I thought was really awesome is that you work together with other food banks. Mark was the one who gave me phone numbers to five or six different food banks, and we ended up building relationships with all of them.”
Though the Farmers to Families Food Box program lasted just one year, it profoundly impacted Sunterra Produce’s future.
“We had undergone a change during this program and really began to look at our food differently. We got to see the look on people’s faces at distribution events when they would get a big, beautiful box of produce and how much joy and relief it brought them.”
With this renewed perspective, and alongside partners like the OC Food Bank, Sunterra Produce helped advocate for low-cost fruit and vegetable options through the California Association of Food Banks—a strong proponent of ongoing CalFood funding.
Today, thanks to state support, the OC Food Bank purchases 12-pound produce boxes from Sunterra Produce for just $7.94/box, ensuring that local families have access to nutritious foods.
These boxes often include produce farmers struggle to sell—not due to quality, but appearance. “We’re able to provide a little piece of revenue to the farmers that may have otherwise been left behind,” said Brazeel.
Because of the dedication of Sunterra Produce and partners across Orange County, fresh, nutritious food is more available than ever. Yet, if California legislators do not extend CalFood funding beyond the minimum $8 million allocation, the OC Food Bank and others statewide will face tough choices, potentially cutting or eliminating fresh food distributions.
Beyond the impact on families, cuts would also harm farmers. Without CalFood, much of the so-called “ugly” produce would go to waste rather than into the hands of families who need it.
As Regional Community Outreach Manager of Sunterra Produce, Sayeda Khan, expressed, “There’s a growing need from the communities and organizations that do this work. At a time when the need is growing, funding cannot be cut. It’s critical.”
The OC Food Bank, together with the California Association of Food Banks and over 200 partner agencies, is advocating for a $62 million CalFood allocation to safeguard continued access to fresh foods.
Join our fight to protect CalFood funding—sign up to receive advocacy updates HERE.
(Pictured above: CAP OC team member and partner distributing Sunterra Produce food boxes at a community event)