At the Food Bank of Delaware’s Milford facility, there’s more than just food distribution, there’s a vibrant community café where neighbors gather, meals are shared and opportunity is served alongside lunch. The Milford café is fast becoming a community hub.

Opened as part of the Food Bank’s expanded 70,000-square-foot Milford facility, the café embodies the organization’s mission to not only feed hungry families but also to foster connection, dignity and purpose. The new facility, which officially opened in early 2024, was designed with community in mind: along with increased warehouse space, cold storage, training classrooms, a Healthy Pantry Center, and a 3.5-acre garden, the café gives members of the public a welcoming place to dine while supporting a larger social cause.

JR Duffy, the Café’s chef, believes our Café’ offers neighbors a unique choice in the line-up of local dining options. “I tell people we’re not trying to put anyone else out of business. We’re a good option. We’re friendly. We support a good cause, raising funds for Food Bank Culinary School scholarships. And we offer good food at a reasonable price,” he said.

Operating Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., with special breakfast service on Friday mornings, the café offers a changing weekly menu of affordable, chef-prepared meals. Diners can enjoy everything from hearty soups and salads to baked ziti with garlic bread, or a classic sandwich of the week crafted with fresh ingredients. Friday’s breakfast offerings have proven especially popular, featuring breakfast sandwiches, omelets, and complete platters at prices that keep meals accessible for all.

But the café is far more than just a place to grab lunch. It plays a key role in the Food Bank’s culinary training program, a training initiative that equips individuals with real-world kitchen and hospitality skills. Students enrolled in the program gain hands-on experience preparing and serving meals in the cafe, learning everything from food safety to customer service in a supportive environment. Upon graduation, many go on to careers in food service, hospitality, and related fields. 

Community feedback underscores the café’s impact. Visitors frequently praise the delicious food, reasonable prices, and the kindness and professionalism of the culinary students and staff. For many locals, the café offers not only a satisfying meal but also a sense of belonging, a place where neighbors meet, and strangers become acquainted over  a shared purpose.

Milford resident Nina Pletcher often enjoys lunch in the Café. “The biggest reason is that it supports the Culinary School, but it’s also the food that JR and Bryan prepare. Plus, it’s a pleasant environment. I bring people in to show it off, and they are in awe of the resource we have here,” she said.

She emphasized that she enjoys the dining options. “It’s affordable, and there’s always a variety on the menu. Plus,  the menu is always posted a week ahead, so it’s easy to plan and make choices. I just think it's a great place."

As the community invests in the Food Bank’s mission, the café remains a visible testament to what collective effort can achieve: bridging basic needs with empowerment and growth.

Here is our URL - https://www.fbd.org/cafe