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Mesa food bank seeks warehouse space to expand fresh-food capacity
United Food Bank says its Mesa warehouse is so crowded that some donated goods are being kept in trucks outside. A planned expansion would add freezer and cooler capacity as the nonprofit reports a 61% increase in demand over three years.
United Food Bank is working with Mesa officials on permits for an expansion of its warehouse, a project the nonprofit says would let it store and distribute more fresh food as requests for assistance rise across the Valley.
The current facility is running short on room, CEO Jason Reed said. Some donated nonperishable food is being stored in trucks parked outside, while the planned addition would provide more space for freezers and coolers to hold produce and other perishable items.
Demand for United Food Bank’s services has risen 61% during Reed’s three years leading the organization. He said higher living costs are making it harder for households to pay for necessities, and that food assistance can help families direct limited money toward expenses such as rent.
The food bank also supplies community organizations, including Paz de Cristo Community Center in Mesa. Paz de Cristo leaders estimate that about 500,000 people in Maricopa County experience food insecurity. Jackie Shelley of the center said its kitchen typically serves about 200 people a day, with demand rising in recent months.
There is no construction timetable yet. United Food Bank is still working with the city to obtain permits, and Reed estimates the expansion effort could take about two years once construction begins.