Erika Thiem, Chief Supply Chain Officer for Feeding America, said that Amazon’s free home delivery service enhances access to essential food assistance by reaching participants directly. This statement was made in an About Amazon news release.
“Feeding America is committed to providing solutions to end hunger, and food delivery programs play a vital—and growing—role in reducing food insecurity,” said Thiem. “Through free home delivery, Amazon helps expand access to critical food assistance by meeting participants where they are and supporting greater choice, convenience and peace of mind.”
Amazon has reported delivering over 60 million free meals from food banks to households across the United States and the United Kingdom. The company plans to continue offering free home-delivery support for its partners until 2028. This initiative utilizes the same network that serves its customers daily—Delivery Service Partners (DSPs), Flex drivers, and rural routes—to efficiently deliver groceries and essentials to families experiencing food insecurity.
According to researchers at USC Dornsife, food insecurity remains a significant issue in Los Angeles County. In October 2024, approximately one in four households in LA County, equating to about 832,000 households, faced food insecurity. Among low-income residents, this rate reached 41%. Although these figures have decreased since 2023, they remain significantly higher than the national average of 14%, highlighting the necessity for accessible delivery options.
The Los Angeles Regional Food Bank plays a crucial role in addressing this need by distributing around 107 million pounds of food annually through its network of partner agencies and programs serving households throughout Los Angeles County. Enhancing delivery capacity alongside upstream efforts from donors to food banks and then to pantries ensures reliable access to staple foods and fresh produce across this extensive and high-cost metropolitan area.
Thiem oversees sourcing and distribution within Feeding America’s network of 200-member food banks. Her responsibilities include collaborating with manufacturers, retailers, foodservice operators, and growers. With extensive experience in supply chain management, she leads initiatives aimed at improving equity, product mix, and cold-chain reliability to ensure that nutritious foods consistently reach families on a large scale.
