Learn how it will impact Kern County, Ca below
Food is the #1 unmet need in Kern County and since its creation, the CAPK Food Bank has been working diligently to answer that call.
The CAPK Food Bank is currently operating at MAXIMUM CAPACITY, jeopardizing our ability to meet the food needs of the most vulnerable & the food insecure residents in our community. Expanding this location will increase our ability to do more, with the determination & vision to alleviate hunger across the communities we serve. The addition of 40,000 sq. ft. to the existing 20,000 sq. ft. warehouse will more than triple the square footage, providing the space needed to source & distribute larger quantities of food in a safer & more efficient way.
CAPK Food Bank is the hub of an 8,000-square-mile food distribution network that provides food to more than 100,000 individuals who face food insecurity across Kern County and beyond. This network is built from a collaborative partnership of more than 150 non-profit, faith-based, volunteer and community groups who receive donations of CAPK food and share it with their communities.
Expanding the CAPK Food Bank will allow us to expand this network and the impact we make together.
This expansion will, once again, allow CAPK to consolidate all Food Bank operations under one roof. It will eliminate the need to travel back and forth between our leased warehouses, reduce operational costs and improve the effectiveness and collaboration of Food Bank staff.
The 40,000 square foot expansion will include the following improvements:
The addition of six new loading docks to allow faster loading and unloading of food. The current facility has only one loading dock.
More industrial freezer and refrigeration to allow the Food Bank to receive more meats, milk, produce and other healthy but perishable foods.
A clean room to allow for packaging of greens, vegetables, fruits and breads for distribution.
Kern County consistently ranks among the top five most-productive agricultural counties in the United States. Yet, many Kern County residents experience hunger and malnourishment.
In these high poverty areas, low-income residents are less likely to own a vehicle and thus would find it much more difficult to get to a grocery store if one were not nearby. There are some areas in the Central Bakersfield area and some south of Bakersfield that need attention.
Collaborate across sectors to identify ways to further reduce edible food waste and increase food recovery throughout the food system. Document activities and outcomes in a consistent way over time so total impact can be measured.
The CAPK Food Bank is a partner distribution organization (PDO) of the Feeding American Network, the nation’s largest domestic hunger-relief organization.
Pending Construction Efforts:
Once expanded, CAPK’s Food Bank will have the ability to accept more food donations to meet current and expanded needs.
*Information above comes from the “Kern County Food System Assessment.” KCFSA_report_full-1.pdf (ucdavis.edu)