The Courier of Montgomery County reports that in order to allow more room for produce, record high-demand and volunteers, the Montgomery County Food Bank has begun work on a $6.5 million expansion of their food bank.
In 2014 the food bank became the sixth biggest food bank in the Lone Star State when it acquired it’s 60,000 square foot building in southwest Conroe. The facility will provide food for 5,000 additional families per month as a result of it’s new 18,000-square-foot expansion.
In 2023, the food bank took care of around 80,000 people per month. Compared to 2022, that is a 23 percent increase. Food Bank President Kristine Marlow says the reason for it included supply chain problems since the pandemic, inflation and growth in the county.
In 2023, the food bank’s 80 assisting agencies distributed over 8 million meals.
Marlow said the food bank didn’t have enough space for its increasing amount of fresh produce, so the produce rescue center cold storage was being expanded.
By receiving unsellable and surplus produce from local farmers, residents and partners, the food bank has saved 20 million pounds of vegetables and fresh fruit from winding up in landfills.
