MONTGOMERY — The Food Bank of the Hudson Valley celebrated a major milestone in the building of a new distribution center in the Town of Montgomery in Orange County. The 40,000-square-foot building will provide increased capacity to obtain, store, and distribute food donations to six counties in the Hudson Valley: in Orange, Ulster, Dutchess, Rockland, Sullivan, and Putnam. This new facility will allow the Food Bank to honor its commitment to improve local access to food assistance and is expected to benefit approximately 179,000 food insecure neighbors receiving assistance from the Food Bank. 

“Food insecurity unfortunately remains a growing issue. 1 in 10 people in our service area experience food insecurity. This project is a generational investment in improving the charitable food system in the Hudson Valley and is one of the most significant capital investments in the state aimed at combating food insecurity. The new distribution center will allow us to source more food in the region, create new dynamic partnerships, and help us to close the meal gap that exists in the region. We are so grateful for the support we have received from so many to help us develop this project, particularly New York State. On behalf of everyone at the Food Bank, I am extremely proud to be celebrating this milestone today,” said Tom Nardacci, CEO of the Regional Food Bank.

Major funding for the $23.8 million project includes two major grants from the State of New York: a $10.7 million award made to the Town of Montgomery through the Community Development Block Grant CARES program administered by New York State Homes and Community Renewal; and a $3.7 million award from New York State Empire State Development recommended by the Mid-Hudson Regional Economic Development Council.

Today’s event included a beam signing and topping off ceremony at the site of the future home of the Food Bank attended by local officials, community partners, and project participants.

Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, “Access to nutritious food is central to having strong communities and the Food Bank of the Hudson Valley provides this vital service across the region. We  are proud to support their mission and celebrate this important milestone.”