With the emergence and prolonging of the COVID-19 pandemic, Valley View Community Food Bank has seen a significant increase in food insecurity among local families, including new clients that had never before needed the support. The Valley View Community Food Bank has been working hard to match the high food demand during these times, serving up to 520 families a day. In fact, Jesse Ramirez, Director and founder of Valley View Community Food Bank, says the demand nearly doubled during this time, serving up to 6,500 people over Thanksgiving alone. Jesse expresses that “as a small community food bank, we are seeing a lot of people coming to us because we are easy to get to.”

The Farmlink Project works to support Valley View Community Food Bank’s efforts to make an impact in its diverse community, northwest of Phoenix, Arizona. This holiday season, Fresh Kist Farms provided approximately 35,000 to 40,000 pounds of surplus produce per shipment to The Valley View Community Food Bank on five different occasions. The shipments included nutritionally dense vegetables like celery, broccoli, and cauliflower.

Jesse adds, “The need is so great with the ongoing pandemic and people losing their jobs. Valley View Community Food Bank has been on the frontline, making sure we can help everybody who comes to us and never turning anybody away.” The Farmlink Project strives to support local food banks, such as Valley View Community Bank, as much as possible so they can continue to provide a nutritious diet to families and individuals in need while supporting food security and waste reduction.

Valley View Community Food Bank inspires us, and we look forward to continuing our partnership with them! Be sure to check out their website and see how you can help make an impact here.