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FoodShare reports rising demand in Fillmore, announces $50 million consolidated facility
Summary
FoodShare Ventura County told the Fillmore City Council it served 254,000 unduplicated people countywide last year and distributed 602,000 pounds in Fillmore and Piru, and announced plans for an 85,000-square-foot Oxnard facility for which $45 million of a $50 million target has been raised.
Monica White, president and CEO of FoodShare Ventura County, told the Fillmore City Council on July 14 that the food bank served 254,000 unduplicated people across Ventura County last year and distributed 602,000 pounds of food in the Fillmore–Piru area alone.
"Last year, we distributed 602,000 pounds of food" in Fillmore and Piru, White said, which she said converts to roughly 501,000 meals and served about 7,300 local residents. FoodShare provides groceries through 18 local partner pantries and said 75 percent of its clients use food assistance three times or fewer per year.
White described FoodShare's programs—gleaning from local fields, food rescue from retailers, a senior box program serving about 3,500 seniors monthly, weekly drive-through distributions started during the COVID pandemic, and a "kitchen‑free" bag designed for people experiencing homelessness that does not require refrigeration or cooking. She said volunteers (about 4,500 annually) supply roughly 45,000 hours of service and are essential to operations.
White also announced a capital project: FoodShare has purchased land in Oxnard adjacent to its current facility and is planning an 85,000‑square‑foot consolidated distribution center to bring its three facilities under one roof. "This $50 million project, we have already raised $45 million of that," White said, and staff have submitted drawings to the City of Oxnard with permits expected by year’s end and occupancy projected in two to three years.
Council members thanked FoodShare and asked how residents can help. White recommended donations of money, volunteer time and food drives: "For every dollar we can buy $5 worth of food," she said.
Council context: The presentation was scheduled as an informational item; no council action was required. The organization also noted it turned away 8 million pounds of produce last year because of storage constraints and said the new facility would increase capacity to accept produce donations and increase distributed quantities per household.
Next steps: FoodShare will continue local distributions through its pantry network and outreach programs; the council and residents were invited to support fundraising and volunteer recruitment.
