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Foodlink says it will modernize its community farm and headquarters with $15 million

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Foodlink says it will modernize its community farm and headquarters with  million

Rochester, New York – Foodlink has committed $15 million for important improvements to its community farm on Lexington Avenue and headquarters on Mount Read Blvd.

“These investments started in 2024 and will continue over the next two to three years,” said Julia Tedesco, president of Foodlink. The initiatives aim to directly address the rising number of households facing food insecurity.

Nearly 300 pallets of food will be stored in the organization’s new, energy-efficient chiller at the headquarters. A recently remodeled section of the structure with loading docks, offices, warehouse storage, and packaging lines will host the mobile market.

By the summer, Foodlink anticipates having more than 100 locations in Monroe County to provide 12,500 meals each day to seniors and children.

To expand the garden’s capacity to more than 100 plots at the community farm, Foodlink purchased extra parcels from the city. As a result, they will be able to invite fifty more families to engage in farming activities. In addition, last November they started building the new “edible education center.”

According to Tedesco, the number of people visiting the organization’s food pantries and programs increased significantly. Last year, 1.8 million people visited local food pantries. The number of neighbors requesting food aid has increased by 36%, making this the second-highest year after 2021.

However, Tedesco stated that purchasing extra food would not address the issue. “We are responsible for the safe procurement, handling, storage, and redistribution of approximately 30 million pounds of food annually.”

These important improvements are intended to help individuals and families in Monroe County and reduce the rising rate of food insecurity.

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