Capacity Expansion Project

With the expansion of the warehouse, we are now able to receive, sort and store over 300 pallets of food!

Back in 2021 with the continued rise in need for emergency food services, The Food Bank of Nevada County (FBNC) applied for a capacity expansion grant through the California Department of Social Services (CDSS). In June of 2022 - The Food Bank of Nevada County was awarded the grant from CDSS to help expand its capacity to feed community members faced with food insecurity. This critical funding was used to purchase a warehouse unit adjacent to our existing location so that we can receive, sort, store and distribute additional food supplies to meet current, future and emergency needs. The purchase was completed later in 2022, and the necessary construction began immediately to connect the additional space to the existing warehouse.

This multi-year expansion project was started by FBNC's former executive director, Nicole McNeely “We learned a lot during the COVID pandemic, PSPS events, wildfires and Winter Storms. A large influx of families rely on The Food bank of Nevada County for food support during all these emergencies in addition to the regular demand. The Food Bank has to be able to source and stockpile enough food to feed everyone in need and we had outgrown our warehouse.”

In addition to the increased square footage, the grant will also fund a large solar array on the roof and carports, and an electric car charging port. Aside from being better prepared to serve Nevada County during emergencies and beyond, the Board has set

goals of reducing its use of fossil fuels and transitioning to more renewable energy sources. 

“This funding will help us be more environmentally conscious and will reduce our large PG&E bill by about 90% so that those funds can go to directly feeding families instead of overhead.” Said Doug Fleming, President of the Board of Directors who wrote the grant.

“We are truly grateful to the Department of Social Services for this funding and appreciate their continued

support in helping us expand our capacity to feed more Nevada County residents who are struggling to

feed their families. This will support new infrastructure required to adequately serve the food insecurity needs

of Nevada County, as well as enhancements to ensure the resilience and sustainability of our emergency food

delivery system during climate crises and disasters.” Said Fleming.