FOOD EQUITY

Access to nutritious, free food every day.

Food equity means everyone — regardless of income, race, zip code, or background — has consistent access to affordable, nutritious, and culturally relevant food. It recognizes that food access is shaped by systemic barriers, not just individual choices.

Food equity is about more than food — it’s about dignity, health, and opportunity. When communities have reliable access to nutritious food, they experience better health outcomes, stronger economic stability, and improved quality of life.

Food, Care, and Community Support

Expanding Access Through Our Community Food Bank

The Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle is proud to partner with Rainier Valley Food Bank to bring fresh, healthy food directly to families in our community. Together, we’re creating a welcoming space where neighbors can access the nourishment they need — no cost, no barriers, just support.

At a time when many essential services are harder to access, we’re here to help ensure no one has to worry about where their next meal will come from. 

Weekly food distributions will take place at the Urban League’s Resource Center, alongside health insurance enrollment and personalized health navigation services to support your overall well-being.

The food bank is located in the Urban League’s Resource Center at 901 Rainier Ave S. Seattle, Washington 98144 

Community members will need to sign in using a name they want to share with us and optionally can leave their phone number or email, so we can contact them in the future. 

Our partnership with Rainier Valley Food Bank (RVFB) is rooted in a shared commitment to advancing food equity for BIPOC, immigrant, and refugee communities in South Seattle. Through this collaboration, ULMS connects community members engaged in our programs to RVFB’s culturally responsive food resources, helping ensure consistent access to nutritious, culturally relevant groceries.

By working together, we are reducing barriers to food access and expanding the reach of community-centered services. This partnership allows us to meet immediate needs while building a more equitable and responsive food system for the communities we serve.

Whole-Person Support

Health & Resource Support

In addition to our food bank, we offer a range of health and resource services to support you and your family’s well-being. Our team is here to walk alongside you—helping you navigate systems, access care, and connect to the resources you need.

We provide assistance with Medicaid and Qualified Health Plan enrollment for those who are eligible, as well as personalized health navigation. This includes help finding in-network providers, ordering insurance cards, and connecting to medical resources for individuals who may not currently qualify for coverage.

We also support transportation coordination through Medicaid Access and ORCA LIFT, helping make it easier to get to appointments and essential services.

Anyone can apply during open enrollment 11/01-12/31 for Medicaid or a Qualified Health Plan, otherwise you must meet special enrollment requirements which include:

  • Marriage or entering a domestic partnership*
  • Birth
  • Adoption or foster care
  • Receipt of a court order (including child support)
  • Loss of a dependent or dependent status due to death, divorce or legal separation*
  • A change in income* (eligibility change)
  • Loss of other health coverage (because of job loss, divorce, eligibility change, etc.)
  • Moving to Washington or a new county in Washington
  • A change in citizenship or lawful presence status
  • Release from prison
  • Loss of free COBRA coverage
  • Survivor of Domestic Abuse
  • Spousal and domestic abandonment
  • Errors on the part of Washington Healthplanfinder that prevent you from getting coverage (including system errors)
  • Contract violation by your Qualified Health Plan
  • Other circumstances as approved by Washington Healthplanfinder
  • Those 19-64 (some restrictions apply for those 55+ depending on Medicare eligibility)
  • Resident of Washington state
  • House hold income at or below income standard for household size (see chart below and care subject to change annually)
  • U.S. citizen or meet requirements based on Medicaid  for legal immigrants
  • Pregnant or parent/ guardian of a child or youth under 18 years old. 
  • Children 
  • Blind/ disabled
  • Youth under 20 who have been in foster care or were adopted
  • Those in need of long term care or hospice 

Please note one we cannot guarantee enrollment and only run applications through the Washington Health Plan Finder and all documents are screened through Washington state Health Care Authority (HCA).

Our team can assist with applying for Seattle Fresh Bucks, which provides monthly vouchers for fresh fruits and vegetables, and offer referrals for additional supports such as ABD (disability benefits), electricity assistance, and childcare resources.

Coming soon, we will also offer enrollment support for SNAP and WIC benefits for eligible individuals and families.