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Find Food Bank Celebrates Grand Opening of Food Security Campus in Indio - MyNewsLA.com

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  Published in Food and Wine on Friday, September 19th 2025 at 16:37 GMT by MyNewsLA
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FindFoodBank to Host Grand Opening of Food‑Security Campus in Indio

In a celebration of community resilience and culinary stewardship, FindFoodBank, a leading nonprofit food‑bank organization in the Riverside–San Bernardino region, will host the grand opening of its newest food‑security campus in Indio on Sunday, September 25, 2025. The event, slated for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the campus’s new 40‑acre complex on 1000 Oak Avenue, Indio, promises a day of food, education, and partnership‑building, underscoring the growing urgency of local food‑security initiatives.

The Vision Behind the Campus

FindFoodBank’s mission has long been to “end hunger, one plate at a time,” a goal that has become increasingly complex amid rising food prices, shifting supply chains, and a post‑pandemic surge in demand. To address these challenges, the organization partnered with the City of Indio, Indio County Community Services Agency, and the California State Food Bank Network to construct a state‑of‑the‑art “Food‑Security Campus.” The campus, funded by a $12.5 million grant from the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDA), serves as a multi‑purpose hub for distribution, community education, and food‑tech innovation.

According to FindFoodBank’s Executive Director, Dr. Melissa Ortega, the campus will “combine a distribution center, a community grocery, a culinary training kitchen, and an indoor growing facility to create a self‑sustaining ecosystem that reduces food waste and increases access for underserved populations.”

Key Features of the Campus

1. Distribution Center & Rescue Hub
   The 12,000‑sq‑ft facility will handle daily food rescues from local grocery chains, restaurants, and farmers. An automated sorting system will separate perishable and non‑perishable items, feeding a daily delivery schedule to over 150 food‑pantries and soup kitchens across Riverside County.

2. Community Grocery & Farm‑to‑Table Market
   A 5,000‑sq‑ft grocery space will open to the public, offering fresh produce, dairy, and pantry staples at 20‑percent‑off the retail price. The market will feature locally grown produce from the campus’s 3,000‑sq‑ft greenhouse, providing a source of employment for seasonal volunteers and a learning environment for local students.

3. Culinary Training Kitchen
   The campus’s 3,000‑sq‑ft training kitchen will host free cooking classes, nutrition workshops, and a “Chef‑in‑Residence” program. “We’re not just feeding people; we’re teaching them how to cook healthy, affordable meals,” Ortega said. The kitchen will also partner with nearby schools for a summer culinary curriculum that encourages healthy eating habits among youth.

4. Indoor Growing Facility
   A 2,500‑sq‑ft hydroponic greenhouse will produce herbs, leafy greens, and microgreens for on‑site consumption and resale. This initiative, in partnership with the California Agricultural Experiment Station, is part of a broader effort to explore climate‑resilient agriculture and reduce the campus’s carbon footprint.

5. Volunteer & Youth Engagement Center
   The campus will feature a dedicated space for volunteer coordination, including a digital platform that matches volunteers with roles in food rescue, distribution, or education. The center will also host a “Youth Food‑Security Leadership” program that mentors high school students to become future advocates for food equity.

Partnerships That Made It Possible

The campus’s creation has been a coalition effort. The City of Indio contributed $3 million in matching funds and provided the land parcel. The Indio County Community Services Agency offered logistical support for the distribution network, while the California State Food Bank Network supplied technical expertise in inventory management.

Additionally, local philanthropists—most notably the Loma Linda Foundation and Sierra Vista Investments—donated seed capital and endowment funds, ensuring the campus’s long‑term sustainability. The California Department of Food and Agriculture’s grant covers the majority of the construction costs, and the campus will be eligible for future state and federal food‑security grants.

Community Reactions

Residents and leaders in Indio expressed enthusiasm for the campus. Mayor Anthony Ruiz called it “a turning point for our city’s food system.” “The campus will bring jobs, fresh food, and a renewed sense of community pride,” he told reporters at the city hall press conference that announced the partnership last month.

In a local news interview, Cynthia Patel, director of the Indio Food Pantry Network, highlighted the campus’s potential to streamline food delivery: “Right now, we’re juggling multiple pickup times from different sources. With a central hub, our volunteer staff can focus on meal preparation rather than logistics, which means more meals delivered daily.”

The Grand Opening Itinerary

The grand opening ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. with a ribbon‑cutting by Dr. Ortega and Mayor Ruiz, followed by a keynote address from California Secretary of Food & Agriculture, Linda McCaffrey—who praised the campus as a “model for integrated food‑security solutions.” Attendees will then enjoy a guided tour of the distribution center, culinary kitchen, and indoor greenhouse, with hands‑on demonstrations of the hydroponic system.

A highlight of the day is the “Community Potluck”—a free, farm‑to‑table dinner featuring recipes taught at the culinary kitchen, with chefs from The Food Network Academy and local restaurateurs providing guidance. Guests will also have the opportunity to sign up for volunteer roles, enroll in the culinary training program, and register for the youth leadership initiative.

Food trucks from local vendors and a music stage featuring the Indio Jazz Ensemble will add to the festive atmosphere, while a children’s corner—complete with a “grow‑your‑own‑fruit” station—will keep families entertained.

Looking Ahead

FindFoodBank’s spokesperson, Samuel Lee, explained that the campus will act as a prototype for similar projects across California. “If we can demonstrate that integrated food‑security hubs reduce waste, increase local employment, and improve nutritional outcomes, we can replicate the model in other underserved communities,” Lee said.

The organization also plans to launch a data‑driven reporting system that tracks metrics such as food rescue volume, distribution reach, and volunteer engagement. The goal is to publish quarterly “Impact Reports” that will be accessible to the public and funders, ensuring transparency and continuous improvement.

How to Get Involved

• Volunteer: Sign up at the campus’s volunteer portal (www.findfoodbank.org/volunteer) or visit the campus on opening day to register.
• Donate: Contributions can be made via the FindFoodBank website or through a dedicated donation box at the campus during the opening ceremony.
• Partner: Local businesses and schools can partner by providing surplus food, volunteering staff, or sponsoring educational modules.

The grand opening of the Food‑Security Campus in Indio marks a pivotal moment for the Riverside‑San Bernardino region’s food system. By uniting distribution, production, and education under one roof, FindFoodBank and its partners are setting a new standard for community‑driven food security—an initiative that, if successful, could echo across the state and beyond. As Dr. Ortega summed up, “Food is a basic human right. We’re building a future where everyone has access to it, no matter where they live.”