VIENNA (WSIL) -- Food insecurity is a growing concern in the region and pantries are working hard to address the issue.ĚýĚýhas supplied food to southern Illinois for nearly 20 years but wants to do more for local communities.
"In southern Illinois food insecurity rates are really quite high. It roughly amounts to one in five people are food insecure. They don't know where their next meal is going to come from and it's one and four children," explains Glenn Roberts, Executive Director for Tri-State Food Bank.
Roberts says their goal is to not only end hunger but provide fresh food. "There's a source of produce, fresh produce in Illinois that has been shipped to our headquarters in Evansville and little of that actually makes it here to southern Illinois so we wanted to solve that problem."
Roberts says they now have a new cold storage facility in Vienna. "We have distributed over 53 tons of fresh produce since April and we're hoping to get even more agencies to come here to pick up. We're just thrilled that we're able to take this next step to reduce food insecurity here in southern Illinois."
Being able to store fresh food ensures communities are getting healthier options.
"Instead of building a dry warehouse and distributing canned goods and process foods which is needed, we wanted to start with the healthiest food. The most nutritious food, which is fresh produce. That's why we looked for a cold storage facility first, so we can store the tomatoes, and the oranges, and the potatoes, and the onions," adds Roberts.
Roberts says with the success of the cold storage facility, he hopes to someday take the next step and open an entire branch in southern Illinois. A branch would mean the addition of a dry storage warehouse, additional cold storage, freezer space and a volunteer center.
