Hidalgo County Judge Ramon Garcia attended the Grand Opening of the Rio Grande Valley Food Bank's new central location in Pharr. The Food Bank of the Rio Grande Valley helps low-income individuals and families have access to the most basic necessity – food – in Hidalgo County, Willacy and Cameron Counties.

The new location in Pharr, is the former home of the Valley Fruit Company which was a hub of fruit and citrus distribution in the 1940’s. At almost double the amount of food storage, and an onsite pantry where people who stop by can get food directly, the expanded location can accommodate more families in need. With a classroom for nutrition education, the Food Bank will continue to stay true to its community-based services and will serve to promote healthy sustainability and self-sufficiency in our community.

The USDA reports that nearly one in four children in the United States are living in a food insecure household or a household where the members are unable to “consistently access the adequate amount of nutritious food necessary for a healthy life.” In 2010, households with children reported food insecurity at a significantly higher rate than those without children, 20.2 percent compared to 11.7 percent. According the Feeding America network, Hidalgo County alone has over 110,990 children living in food-insecure households – that’s 43.5%!

The Food Bank of the Rio Grande Valley serves many communities and works hard to ensure that no one in our region, especially our children, live with food insecurities. For more information on the Food Bank visit www.foodbankrgv.com.