Food Bank of Rockies Expands Reach with New Aurora Center

The Food Bank of the Rockies is opening a new 270,000-square-foot distribution center in Aurora this winter to address rising food insecurity caused by inflation and potential SNAP benefit cuts. This facility will consolidate two existing Denver locations, increasing capacity to feed 10,000 children daily and expanding cold food storage, volunteer space, and kitchen size significantly. CEO Erin Pulling highlighted that food insecurity in Colorado and Wyoming has reached a decade-high, affecting one in eight people, with expected increases due to federal budget reconciliation bill impacts on SNAP and Medicaid. The new center will also enable the food bank to produce four times as many kids' meals, offer up to 50% more fresh produce, and distribute 300% more culturally responsive food, while reducing operating costs by over $500,000 annually. These savings will be reinvested into food distribution efforts, aiming to scale up to 100 million pounds of food annually and better serve 800 hunger relief partners. Community donations are still being sought to complete construction, which is currently 85% funded.