Rutland, VT – Vermont Foodbank celebrated with community on Monday, June 2 from 3 pm to 5 pm, recognizing the completion of a nearly one-year renovation project that included significant improvements to the Foodbank’s Rutland Distribution Center at 92 Park Street in Rutland. The improved facility, one of three Vermont Foodbank distribution centers, is once again fully operational, and distributing food to communities in the region.

Vermont Foodbank staff hosted community members for an open house and tours of the renovated facility, highlighting the newly added freezer, and a new, larger cooler. Both improvements expand the capacity for gathering and sharing fresh foods throughout the year.

The goal for the renovation of the existing distribution center was to make necessary replacements to infrastructure, and at the same time, create a distribution center facility that would be safer, more efficient, and that would create opportunities to be responsive to the needs of the community. These changes will allow the facility to better serve Rutland County and Bennington County, and for the Foodbank at large to better serve all communities across the state.

Recent flooding events in Vermont highlighted the benefits of a fully functional distribution center in the center of the state. Having three distribution centers with large freezers, coolers and storage, as well as trucks and staff, allows the Foodbank to be nimble and responsive when regional crises happen. Additional improvements to the space included expanded rack space for food storage, increased pack and presort space, improved office spaces and HVAC systems, and an additional loading dock.

John Sayles, CEO of Vermont Foodbank, spoke to the crowd and was joined by Ellie McGarry, Director of Companions in Wholeness, a Rutland area network partner of Vermont Foodbank. Companions in Wholeness operates a day shelter for people in the Rutland community who live with housing and food insecurity and provides breakfast, lunch, grocery foods, clothing and other essential items to community members.

McGarry spoke about the work Companions in Wholeness does and their relationship with Vermont Foodbank’s Rutland Distribution Center and staff, noting that the impact of the partnership often begins with food. “Food can be an important means of connection and community-building, opening doors to other ways of accessing and sharing support,” shared McGarry.

Vermont Foodbank CEO John Sayles thanked donors, supporters and champions for making this project possible. “Thank you to donors whose support for this project, finished on time and under budget, is an investment in this community. Thank you to the legislators who advocated for state grant funding that supported this project. Thank you to neighbors and volunteers who support community distributions out of Rutland, and who play a huge role in providing feedback and expertise to improve our work. And thank you to staff, partners, and friends who continue to show up to support our collective commitment to gather and share food so that no one in Vermont goes hungry,” Sayles said as part of his remarks to attendees.

Staff from Hannaford Supermarkets, a supporter of the project, were on hand to tour the renovation. “At Hannaford, we believe in the transformative power of doing good in our communities,” said Melissa Roberge, Director of Operations for Hannaford Supermarkets and board member of Vermont Foodbank. “That’s why we’re proud to partner with Vermont Foodbank to expand access to fresh, nutritious food. Together, we’re helping ensure families in our state are healthy and thriving for years to come.”

Individual and corporate donors, including Hannaford, Mascoma Bank, and Tito’s Handmade Vodka, as well as a grant through the State of Vermont and support from Efficiency Vermont, made the project possible.

“Vermont Food Bank’s new distribution facility means more food on tables, more folks supported, and a stronger Vermont for everyone. It’s a resource that will strengthen Rutland by ensuring the community has access to food,” said Victoria Lewis, Field Sales Manager at Tito’s Handmade Vodka. “We’re excited to join the community in celebrating the grand opening.”

Vermont Foodbank’s Rutland Distribution Center was opened at 92 Park Street in 2014. With the new renovations in place, the Vermont Foodbank anticipates distributing over 1 million pounds of food from the Rutland facility alone in 2025.