VISTA — More warehouse space, increased refrigeration, and more room for volunteers — these amenities were the source of celebration last week at the opening of a new, permanent facility for the North County Food Bank.
After operating for years out of a warehouse on Enterprise Way, the North County Food Bank has moved into a new 60,000-square-foot facility at Oak Ridge Way and Park Center Drive, about two miles away. The roughly $13 million purchase was made possible by a generous donor who asked to remain anonymous.
The food bank held a soft opening in the new space in November and formally celebrated the opening on Jan. 9 with leaders from the city of Vista and the San Diego Food Bank, which operates the North County location.
“This is a transformational moment for our organization and for North County,” said San Diego Food Bank CEO Casey Castillo. “Thanks to a forward-thinking donor who believes deeply in our mission, we were able to make a strategic, one-time investment that will strengthen our North County services and create long-term stability, especially at a time when public resources are stretched and community need remains high.”
The facility is a crucial resource for North County residents, serving around 9.2 million pounds of food annually. A study of 1,000 food bank visitors in Vista found that they are likely to have household incomes significantly below the county average, with over half relying regularly on food bank services.
According to leadership, the increased capacity and new amenities will enable the bank to serve more clients as local demand grows. New features include a larger Client Choice Pantry, modeled on a grocery store so clients can select food with dignity, and expanded refrigeration and freezer space to support the distribution of fresh produce, dairy, and proteins such as meat.
“The biggest limitation of the previous space was because we didn’t own it, we weren’t able to make the investment into large refrigeration. Now that we own the building, we’ll have a 2,100-square-foot refrigerator and 4,100 square feet for a freezer,” Castillo said.
There is also an on-site Diaper Bank that provides essential items to families and additional space for co-located nonprofit partners to offer wraparound services, leaders said.
By owning rather than renting its facility, North County Food Bank will save approximately $400,000 per year, leaders said.
A larger facility also allows the food bank to better optimize its volunteer space, creating more volunteer opportunities.
“The Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank has long been a vital partner in meeting the needs of our community. This permanent facility is a clear signal of their lasting commitment to Vista and all North County, ensuring local families have access to critical services for generations to come,” Vista Mayor John Franklin said.
Roughly one in four San Diego County residents — approximately 860,500 people — face food insecurity, according to the San Diego Hunger Coalition. The San Diego County Food Bank distributes food through a network of direct service programs and nonprofit partners.
The San Diego Food Bank’s North County location is at 2260 Oak Ridge Way in Vista. For more information, visit sandiegofoodbank.org/get-food.
