Calverton, NY A 20,000 s/f warehouse has been donated by longtime supporter John King, chief customer officer of J. Kings Food Service, according to Randi Shubin Dresner, president and CEO, Island Harvest Food Bank.
J. Kings Food Service has agreed to let the non-profit food bank use the dry storage facility, at 2711 Sound Ave., under a 20-year, no-cost lease. The warehouse space will help facilitate the collection and distribution of food (in particular, fresh fruits and vegetables donated by the local farming community) to those in need on the East End of Long Island. The warehouse will also serve as a distribution point for disaster relief in Eastern Suffolk County, as Island Harvest Food Bank is a lead agency in the region’s emergency-response preparedness for food and product distribution.
“The Calverton site, generously donated by J. Kings, will be a strategic element in the efficient flow of food to those in Eastern Suffolk who are facing hunger and food insecurity,” said Shubin Dresner. “The proximity of the warehouse to East End farms enables Island Harvest Food Bank to provide top-quality, nutritious fruits and vegetables to the population in need of our services.”
Since 2008, the Long Island Farm Bureau’s members have donated more than 12 million pounds of fresh, locally grown surplus produce to Island Harvest Food Bank, making the collaborative one of the largest farm-to-food-bank programs in New York State.
“Island Harvest Food Bank and those we serve are grateful to John King for recognizing the need to increase our food sourcing and distribution on the East End, and taking positive steps to make storage space available on a long-term basis,” said Shubin Dresner. “We also thank the members of the Long Island Farm Bureau for their continued support, and Suffolk County executive Steve Bellone for his assistance in helping to secure this strategic location.”
“The Island Harvest Food Bank now has the opportunity to enhance and diversify its food collection and distribution operations due to the generous donation by J Kings Food Service,” said Bellone. “Both organizations are to be applauded for their commitment to addressing food insecurity within our region.”
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