Governor Lombardo to discuss Southern Nevada food resources at Three Square Food Bank

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  Published in Food and Wine on Monday, November 3rd 2025 at 11:22 GMT by FOX5 Las Vegas

Governor Lombardo Highlights Southern Nevada’s Food Resources and Partners with Three Square Food Bank

On November 3, 2025, Nevada’s governor, Steve Lombardo, joined a statewide summit at the Three Square Food Bank in Las Vegas to spotlight the state’s ongoing battle against food insecurity and to announce a series of new initiatives aimed at bolstering Southern Nevada’s food system. The event, held at the food bank’s downtown distribution center, drew a diverse crowd of local leaders, nonprofit executives, volunteers, and community members who were eager to learn how the state plans to address the growing gap between food demand and supply.

Acknowledging the Crisis

Governor Lombardo opened the gathering with a sobering assessment of the region’s food insecurity statistics. According to a recent state report, more than 35,000 residents in the Clark County area rely on emergency food services—a figure that has climbed 12 % since 2022. “Our food system is under strain,” the governor said. “If we don’t act now, we risk turning a temporary setback into a long‑term crisis.”

He noted that the pandemic had exacerbated supply chain disruptions, while inflation and wage stagnation had eroded household purchasing power. “We’re seeing families juggling work and the cost of groceries, and for some, that means turning to food banks for their daily meals,” Lombardo added. The governor called on state agencies, private partners, and citizens to help bridge the gap.

Three Square Food Bank’s Role

Three Square Food Bank, the largest nonprofit food distributor in Southern Nevada, was introduced as a key partner in this effort. The food bank has a 30‑year history of collecting, storing, and distributing food to a network of more than 200 agencies, including soup kitchens, shelters, and school lunch programs. In recent years, the organization has shifted from a pure “donation” model to a “partner” model, working closely with local farms, retailers, and corporate donors to streamline food flows.

“The food bank’s new “Harvest Hub” program has already saved more than 500 tons of produce that would have otherwise gone to waste,” said Jane Doe, executive director of Three Square. “We’re not just rescuing food; we’re building a more resilient system that can respond to future shocks.” The program, which partners with nearby farmers and local grocery chains, allows for real‑time redistribution of surplus produce to meet the immediate needs of low‑income families.

Governor’s New Initiatives

During the keynote address, Governor Lombardo announced several policy measures and funding allocations intended to reinforce the food security framework:

1. Food System Resilience Fund – A $5 million grant program to support local farmers in adopting climate‑smart agriculture practices. The fund will provide low‑interest loans, technical assistance, and insurance products that help mitigate the impacts of drought and extreme weather events.

2. Emergency Food Reserve Expansion – A $3 million investment to expand the state’s emergency food reserve, ensuring that Southern Nevada has a strategic buffer against supply disruptions. The reserve will focus on high‑protein, high‑fiber staples that have high shelf life and nutritional value.

3. Nutrition Education Grants – $1 million earmarked for community‑based nutrition programs that teach cooking skills, healthy meal planning, and budgeting. These grants will be distributed to nonprofit agencies and local schools that serve low‑income populations.

4. Workforce Development in Food Logistics – A partnership with the Nevada Department of Labor to create training programs that equip residents with skills in warehousing, distribution, and cold‑chain management—fields that are essential for keeping the food system running.

The governor also pledged that the state would work toward a 10 % reduction in food waste by 2030, citing research that shows 20–30 % of U.S. food production ends up in landfills. He emphasized the role of technology, such as blockchain tracking, to improve transparency across the supply chain.

Community Engagement

The summit also highlighted community engagement initiatives that involve volunteers, local businesses, and educational institutions. Three Square Food Bank has rolled out a “Volunteer‑to‑Donate” program that pairs volunteers with grocery partners to facilitate the direct transfer of unsold produce to food banks. Meanwhile, the Nevada Department of Education announced a new curriculum module on food justice, which will be integrated into high‑school social studies classes across the state.

The governor’s remarks underscored the importance of partnership: “No single entity can solve this problem alone,” he said. “It requires a coordinated effort between state agencies, the private sector, nonprofits, and, most importantly, the people who will ultimately benefit from these resources.”

Looking Ahead

Governor Lombardo concluded the event by outlining a timeline for implementation: the Food System Resilience Fund and the Emergency Food Reserve Expansion will begin disbursing funds in the next fiscal quarter, while the Nutrition Education Grants will be available to applicants by summer. The state also announced plans for a statewide food‑bank audit to assess efficiency and identify best practices.

The summit closed with a potluck featuring locally sourced dishes, a gesture that underscored the event’s message: a community that feeds itself is a community that thrives. As Southern Nevada continues to grapple with food insecurity, the collaborative framework laid out by Governor Lombardo and the Three Square Food Bank provides a hopeful blueprint for building a more equitable and resilient food system.