NETWORK FEES

Each member agency commits to contributing a shared maintenance fee (distribution fee) of up to the current maximum of 18 cents per pound for all products received except fresh bread and fresh dairy products, which are FREE. Nowhere else can our member agencies find a consistent supply of good quality food and other household products, at a value per pound of just 18 cents or less!

Why does a network agency pay a shared maintenance fee?

The fee is designed to share with all agencies the costs of operating Tarrant Area Food Bank as a distribution center. The shared maintenance fee helps pay for the transportation of products to our warehouse and from us to partners in the outer reaches of our service region; assists in procuring products which are in short supply, such as protein; helps support a full-time professional staff; maintains a warehouse with dry, refrigerated and freezer space; and covers other overhead costs.

What allows Tarrant Area Food Bank to charge a shared maintenance fee?

The IRS has established that Food Banks are authorized to request network agencies to contribute a shared maintenance fee to share in the cost of procuring and distributing food as long as individuals being served by a network agency are not charged for food provided by the agency.

Our network agencies are required to sign a document stating that the individuals they serve will not be charged a fee for the food they receive whether in the form of cooked meals, snacks or emergency packages.

Does the shared maintenance fee vary by food group "value"?

No, with the exception of bread and dairy products, which are FREE.

Feeding America, to which TAFB belongs, provides guidelines regarding the shared maintenance fee and how it is administered. Tarrant Area Food Bank varies the fee for any one product based on the difficulty of obtaining it. A fee for a particular item will never be more than the maximum set by Feeding America.

In addition, if we have an abundance of a particular product, the fee can be reduced for a temporary period of time. We review the available inventory weekly and, when appropriate, adjust the fee by item.

Earning Credits toward your Shared Maintenance fee is easy!

Volunteers from your agency or others who are associated with your agency can come to Tarrant Area Food Bank and volunteer on your behalf. Each volunteer hour will be credited to your Shared Maintenance Fee account.