Ozarks Food Harvest starts move to new facility

Ozarks Food Harvest will begin operating out of its new distribution facility by the end of this month.

The food bank is scheduled to open June 30 at 2810 N. Cedarbrook in 46,000 square feet of new space that allows for more storage and distribution, according to a news release. The organization has had to turn away food donations because of lack of space in its current facility at 615 N. Glenstone Ave.

The opening of the $4.8 million distribution center, which is equipped with energy-efficient coolers, freezers, lighting and appliances, puts an end to the organization's four-year Compassion in Action capital campaign.

Ozarks Food Harvest serves more than 53,000 people a month - not including repeat visitors - and that number is expected to rise to 65,000 by the end of this year. The organization distributed a record 7 million pounds of food this fiscal year, topping last year's record of more than 5 million pounds. The new facility is expected to allow the organization to distribute nearly 10 million pounds of food in its first year, according to the release.

Ozarks Food Harvest works with more than 350 hunger relief organizations and reaches people in 29 southwest Missouri counties.[[In-content Ad]]