The Foodbank of Santa Barbara County will host Sharehouse Community Day, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, March 1. The free family-friendly event, will serve as a Grand Opening with the Foodbank’s Sharehouse reaching full occupancy status at 82 Coromar Drive, Goleta.

“The Sharehouse Grand Opening celebrates unity, progress, and our commitment to ensuring every neighbor has access to nourishment and essential resources,” the Foodbank said.

The Community Day will have food trucks, family-friendly activities, information booths, and giveaways.

State Sen. Monique Limon and county Supervisor Laura Capps will join CEO Erik Talkin at 1 p.m. for a ribbon-cutting ceremony; and Foodbank staff will lead tours of the newly occupied warehouse portion throughout the day.

“We couldn’t be more excited to share the Sharehouse with the whole community,” Talkin said. “We now have a world class facility that will allow us to bring nutrition security through increased amounts of fresh produce and healthy food, and also disaster food security in challenging times.

“We look forward to greeting you on opening day and showing you around your sharehouse. This is a resource for the entire community to share health and empowerment for decades to come,” he said.

The South County Sharehouse will enhance the Foodbank’s efficiency and capacity across the county, enabling it to serve more people in need while improving food distribution, sustainability, and disaster preparedness.

· Expanding Capacity: Food storage will grow from 28,000 to 352,000 pounds, and freezer capacity from 23,000 to 192,000 pounds.
· More Fresh Food: Foodbank can now accept 40,000–80,000 pounds of additional food and fresh produce each week.
· Stronger Local Support: More food can stay in the North County facility, ensuring better access for those in need.
· Sustainability Commitment: Consolidating operations at the Sharehouse reduces fuel emissions and vehicle wear, reinforcing the dedication to environmental responsibility.
· Disaster Preparedness: There is now have space for up to 1.2 million pounds of disaster food, strengthening the Foodbank’s ability to respond in times of crisis.

The Foodbank of Santa Barbara County provides nourishment and education through a network of more than 200 partner agencies, nutrition education programs, and food distribution sites.

In Santa Barbara County, one in three people receives support from the Foodbank, and 38% of the individuals the Foodbank serves are children.

For more, visit FoodbankSBC.org or call the Foodbank, 805-967-5741.