Capital Area Food Bank workers aim to become first unionized food bank on the East Coast

WASHINGTON, D.C. & LORTON, VA — Workers at the Capital Area Food Bank are set to vote to unionize as the Capital Area Food Bank Workers, with the voting scheduled for January 2nd, 6th, and 7th. 

The staff, including office and warehouse workers, are advocating for fair compensation, a voice in implementing workplace policies, an end to PTO blackout periods and a stronger relationship between warehouse and office staff. Workers are unionizing with the Washington-Baltimore News Guild, The NewsGuild-CWA Local 32035. The Capital Area Food Bank will become the first union food bank on the East Coast, joining other Feeding America food bank unions at San Francisco Marin Food Bank, Alameda County Community Food Bank, and Oregon Food Bank.

The Capital Area Food Bank, the largest hunger relief organization in the region, has played a vital role in fighting food insecurity throughout the National Capital Region for 45 years. However, the organization struggles with high turnover, low wages for mid- and entry-level staff, and a lack of transparency over policies and salary structures. These factors hurt the organization’s ability to serve the community and address the root causes of hunger in our nation’s capital.

“I take so much pride in the work that I do, but it’s hard to stay passionate when I’m exhausted and feel undervalued,” said Olivia Plihal, a program coordinator at Capital Area Food Bank. 

“Our program is understaffed, we are underpaid, and a lot of people have to take on second jobs to be able to cover the rising costs of rent and groceries. It makes you feel like you don’t matter at all to the people at the top.”

When employees have more agency over their own well-being and livelihoods, it puts them in a better position to succeed in their work to serve the community. The food bank Workers are committed to creating a more equitable, just, transparent, democratic and sustainable organization that better serves both staff and the neighbors who rely on the Capital Area Food Bank. With greater staff retention and job satisfaction, workers will build stronger relationships with partner organizations and neighbors in need. Capital Area Food Bank Workers believe that an empowered workplace leads to an empowered community. 

To stay up-to-date on the union election, follow Capital Area Food Bank Workers on X (@cafbunion), Bluesky (@cafbunion.bsky.social), and Instagram (@cafbunion), or visit https://cafbunion.com/.

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About Capital Area Food Bank Workers:
Capital Area Food Bank Workers, Local 32035 of the Washington-Baltimore News Guild, represents workers at the Capital Area Food Bank who are organizing to improve workplace conditions, compensation, and job security. As a union, we advocate for respect, equity, and dignity for all employees, while ensuring a collective voice in decisions that affect our work and the communities we serve. We are committed to creating a more equitable, just, transparent, democratic, and sustainable organization that better serves both workers and our neighbors in need.