As more families across Stockton and San Joaquin County turn to local food assistance, the Emergency Food Bank is preparing for a major expansion that will help meet the growing need with greater efficiency, dignity, and care.
Congressman Josh Harder will visit the Emergency Food Bank on Thursday, May 7, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. to announce a $1,150,000 Community Project Funding grant supporting the construction of the organization’s new Food Recovery Hub. The expansion is designed to help the Food Bank recover, store, and distribute more food to families throughout the region.
For many local families, the Emergency Food Bank is more than a place to receive groceries. It is a trusted community resource during difficult times. The organization currently serves an average of 500 vehicles per distribution, a number that reflects the increasing food insecurity many households are facing as the cost of living continues to rise.
The Food Bank’s current 7,000-square-foot warehouse, built in the 1980s, no longer meets the demands of today’s operations. The facility lacks a loading dock, making it harder to efficiently receive and move large amounts of food. The new 17,400-square-foot warehouse will more than double the Food Bank’s capacity and include a dedicated loading dock, helping staff and volunteers move food faster and more safely.
Just as important, the new Food Recovery Hub will help reduce food waste by allowing the organization to collect and distribute more fresh and shelf-stable food from local and regional partners. That means more nutritious food can make its way to families who need it most.
During the visit, Congressman Harder is expected to help distribute food to local families and participate in a ceremonial check presentation with Emergency Food Bank President and CEO Leonard Hansen.
“Many of the families that use food banks work full-time jobs but still can’t make ends meet with rising costs,” Rep. Harder said in the announcement. He added that the expansion will help ensure more families have access to this important lifeline.
The grant presentation will take place at the Emergency Food Bank, 7 West Scotts Avenue in Stockton.
For Stockton and San Joaquin County, this investment represents more than a building project. It is a commitment to helping neighbors, supporting working families, and strengthening one of the community’s most essential safety nets. At a time when the need for food assistance continues to grow, the Emergency Food Bank’s expansion will help make sure more families are served with compassion, respect, and hope.