VERMONT FOODBANK OPENS NEW BRANCH IN WOLCOTT
For Immediate Release
September 29, 2008
For More Information, contact:
Judy Stermer
802-477-4108
VERMONT FOODBANK OPENS NEW BRANCH IN WOLCOTT
Branch will house Salvation Farms, a Program of the Vermont Foodbank
Wolcott, VT—The construction and remodeling is just about finished at 75 Quarry Road in Wolcott, VT. The paint has dried, equipment unloaded, and a sign reading “Vermont Foodbank Manosh Branch” is ready to be hung.
A few months ago, the Vermont Foodbank signed a 10-year lease on the property in Wolcott. The site will be the new home to their gleaning program, Salvation Farms and will also be the Vermont Foodbank’s first ever satellite branch. In an effort to acquire, store and distribute food more effectively, the Foodbank is looking to open branches around the state in the upcoming years.
Howard Manosh, who owns the property, saw his building in the Manosh Industrial Park sit vacant for several years. When he heard that the Vermont Foodbank was seeking a facility for their new branch, Mr. Manosh pursued a partnership with the Foodbank.
“Howard has been a real partner throughout this entire process,” said Edward Fox, Co-Interim CEO of the Vermont Foodbank. “He believes in the Vermont Foodbank’s mission and has done everything in his power to support it.”
While the Manosh Branch will store shelf stable product, like its headquarters in Barre, the facility’s main function will the processing storing and distributing of produce gleaned by Salvation Farms, a Program of the Vermont Foodbank. In 2007, Salvation Farms gleaned and distributed more than 50,000 pounds of produce. Theresa Snow, Program Director of Agricultural Resources at the Vermont Foodbank hopes to surpass that number in the coming year.
“This is so exciting! The infrastructure the Manosh Branch will provide for receiving, sorting, and storing, not only locally sourced produce but also nationally secured produce, will inevitably increase the efficiency of the Vermont Foodbank’s ability to serve our Network Partners as well as increase access to many sites that provide for the food insecure in the northern part of Vermont.”
The Vermont Foodbank will hold an Open House on October 11th and welcomes the community to visit the new—75 Quarry Road, Manosh Industrial Park, Wolcott. Tours and a short speaking program will begin at Noon. Refreshments will also be provided. This event is free and open to the public. For more information, call Amy at (802) 477-4124.
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About the Vermont Foodbank
Vermont Foodbank is the state’s largest hunger-relief organization, serving communities in all 14 counties of Vermont through a network of 270 food pantries, soup kitchen, shelters, senior centers and after-school programs. Last year, the Vermont Foodbank distributed nearly 6.5 million pounds of food to the more than 66,000 needy Vermonters who request charitable food assistance. The Vermont Foodbank is a nationally recognized as one of the most effective and efficient nonprofits and food banks in the nation. For facts and figures on hunger and poverty, to sign-up to receive our newsletter, to find a food shelf in your community, and to learn about the Federal Nutrition Programs, visit us on the web at www.vtfoodbank.org
