FOOD ASSISTANCE: Harder Announces $1+ Million for Massive New Food Bank Distribution Hub in Stockton

May 7, 2026 Press Release New Emergency Food Bank Recovery Hub will more than double capacity, improve efficiency, and reduce food waste Image ABOVE: Dr. Leonard Hansen, Rep. Harder, and Stockton Emergency Food Bank Board Chair Don Ruhstaller present a check for the new distribution hub STOCKTON – Today, Rep. Josh Harder (CA-09) announced more than $1 million in federal funding he secured for a massive food storage expansion at the Stockton Emergency Food Bank . In response to growing food assistance demand and chronic infrastructure challenges, Harder secured funding for a new, 17,400 square-foot Food Recovery Hub warehouse to expand the Food Bank’s storage and service capacity and reduce food insecurity in the Valley. The Stockton Emergency Food Bank is a lifeline for struggling families: The Food Bank serves an average of 500 vehicles per distribution, supporting over 21,000 people each month. But demand for food assistance is on the rise - nearly 200,000 residents in San Joaquin County in 2024 were food insecure, and federal cuts to food assistance programs are kicking thousands more off of CalFresh. The Food Bank is also facing chronic infrastructure challenges, including a warehouse that is nearly 50 years old and no dedicated loading dock for food transportation. “Food banks play a critical role in our communities providing families with essential resources - that’s why I fought for the Stockton Emergency Food Bank to receive federal funding to expand their services,” said Rep. Harder . “Many of the families that use food banks work full-time jobs but still can’t make ends meet with rising costs. This expansion project will make sure that more families have access to this lifeline with dignity. We can’t let our community go hungry.” The new Food Recovery Hub will better support the Food Bank’s mission to address hunger and food insecurity in the Valley: The new 17,400 square-foot warehouse will more than double capacity and include a dedicated loading dock. These upgrades will significantly improve efficiency and expand the Food Bank’s ability to recover, store, and distribute fresh and shelf-stable food from local and regional partners. This increased capacity will also reduce food waste while ensuring more food reaches families who need it most. “Our goal is not only to provide food and nutrition education, but to do so in a way that honors the dignity of every person we serve,” said Leonard Hansen, Stockton Emergency Food Bank President and CEO . “This Community Project Funding grant will allow us to expand our food recovery efforts, operate more efficiently and reach more families across Stockton and San Joaquin County suffering from food insecurity.” ###