Treasure Coast Food Bank
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FORT PIERCE, Fla. — A new chapter in the fight against hunger began this week as Treasure Coast Food Bank celebrated the grand opening and dedication of its new 130,000-square-foot facility in Fort Pierce on Thursday. The new facility represents a commitment to ensuring that families across the Treasure Coast have access to nutritious food, support during times of crisis and opportunities to build a more secure future.
Community leaders, elected officials, supporters and neighbors gathered for a dedication ceremony and ribbon cutting at the new facility, located at 401 Loop Road.
At the heart of the new facility is the ability to put more nutritious food on the tables of families who need it. An 80,000-square-foot warehouse can accommodate the equivalent of 100 semi-truckloads of food in its storage racks, while approximately 16,000 square feet of refrigerated and frozen storage will help the food bank distribute more fresh produce, proteins and other perishable foods.
A new 15,000-square-foot production kitchen will prepare daily meals for seniors and children participating in after-school and summer feeding programs. When disaster strikes, that same kitchen will be capable of producing up to 25,000 meals per day for residents and first responders. Two large generators will help ensure the food bank can continue serving its neighbors even when the power goes out.
“As proud as I am of this building…Our greatest accomplishment will never be measured in square footage, the number of trucks we operate, or even the tens of thousands of meals we serve” said Judith Cruz, President of Treasure Coast Food Bank, during her remarks at the dedication. “They will be measured by the child who can concentrate in school, by the senior who no longer needs to choose between buying groceries and filling a prescription, and the parent who can breathe a little easier knowing that there’s food on the dinner table.”
The vision for the new facility extends beyond providing food today. Dedicated classrooms and a culinary training kitchen will give residents opportunities to develop valuable job skills in culinary arts, commercial driving, hospitality, supply chain operations and more. These programs are designed to help individuals gain industry credentials, pursue meaningful employment and build greater financial stability.
For the neighbors who rely on Treasure Coast Food Bank, that support can make a lasting difference.
The new facility also includes a resource center designed to make it easier for neighbors and partner agencies to access food and resources. A planned produce washing and packaging area will create additional opportunities to work with Florida farmers, while an air-cooled warehouse will make it more comfortable for volunteers to give their time throughout the year.