Is seeking a new location in Orange County
Over the last six months a committee of the Food Bank of the Hudson Valley’s Board of Advisors has been looking to acquire land to build a new warehouse. Director Sara Gunn said the non-profit outgrew its current location, in Cornwall-on-Hudson, four years ago. The additional demand for food during the COVID-19 pandemic further emphasized the need.
“In 1996, the Food Bank of the Hudson Valley was very fortunate to receive a donated warehouse to help address the growing need for food assistance in the region,” Dunn said. “Since that time, the Food Bank has been operating this facility in Cornwall-on-Hudson providing nutritious food to those in need while eliminating waste in the food system.”
Over the past 25 years, the number of member agency partners and the amount of food distributed has increased steadily. Most recently, food distributed in the six counties of the lower Hudson Valley has increased from 16 million pounds in 2019 to 22 million pounds in 2020. “Even before the dramatic increase in need due to the COVID crisis, food distribution grew at a rate of 68 percent,” Dunn said. “Additionally, freezer space and cooler space in the current warehouse is severely limited and the small product sorting area restricts the number of volunteers that can work at one time.”
According to Orange County parcel records, the warehouse has a gross floor area of 42,873 square feet, but not all of it is usable space. Dunn said there are certain areas on the second floor which are not usable and would have to be renovated. A study of the facility determined finding a warehouse with 40,000 square feet of usable space or purchasing land to construct a new warehouse would be more cost effective.
“We have clearly outgrown our current warehouse and therefore, have launched an initiative to purchase or build a new facility,” Dunn said. “While this project is in the beginning phase, we are excited to plan for a home that is situated in a central location, close to main transportation routes and accessible by food suppliers and member agencies. Once completed, the Food Bank of the Hudson Valley will be able to provide a greater amount and variety of food, better access for food donors and recipients, improved service to member agencies, and operate at greater efficiency. Increased freezer and cooler space will accommodate the increase in fresh and frozen food our suppliers wish to donate and will improve food safety. Larger, dedicated food sorting and packaging space will provide a safer environment to host a larger number of volunteers.”
Unfortunately, the search committee has discovered warehouse or commercial land is at a premium and finding a building is almost impossible. The search continues in the Orange County area, where many of the food pantries are located.
