How an agriculture hub will bring nutritional boost to the Tarrant Area Food Bank

Folks have to eat, but sometimes that can be one of life’s greatest challenges — particularly when it comes to nutritious food.

Which is why the Tarrant Area Food Bank is continually looking for new ways to get nutritious food to those in need. Julie Butner, the food bank director, believes that people should not have to choose between, for example, a balanced diet and skipping a meal or two to keep the lights on.

The Tarrant Area Food Bank’s latest advancement in that regard is the construction of a new agriculture food hub. The 7,500-square foot hub is expected to be completed by early August, and will be adjacent to the administrative offices and distribution center on Cullen Street.

“It’s very similar to our main distribution center, except it’s produce,” Butner said.

Through the ag hub, the food bank will take in donated fresh produce via an agreement with several local farms, along with some from the Rio Grande Valley and Arizona. Just like food in the distribution center, the produce will then be sorted and prepared to be distributed to partnering food banks and agencies to be given to those in need, neighbors, Butner calls them.

“We have to mix it. We can’t give a whole load of tomatoes to a partner agency,” Butner said. “They’ll get a palate with tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, for example.”

Butner said the ag hub will help at least 450,000 people. The food bank’s service area supports nearly half a million people who go to bed hungry in Tarrant, Denton, Cook, Wise, Palo Pinto, Parker, Erath, Somerville, Hood, Johnson, Hamilton, Bosque and Hill counties.

Great timing

Butner said the soon-to-be renovated building, with work expected to begin in mid-February, was previously being used to store cars and had once also been a paper mill. When it became available, she said Tarrant County and the city of Fort Worth jointly funded the purchase with $8 million from the American Rescue Plan Act. She said the Sid W. Richardson Foundation donated money for the renovation. She said she was not at liberty to disclose that amount.

The opportunity came at a perfect time, Butner said, as the food bank is being considered by the nonprofit organization Feeding America as a regional hub. The Tarrant Area Food Bank is one of over 200 food banks in the nationwide network.

“When I found out we were being considered I started going up and down the streets asking who owns the building,” she said. “Then, this man called and asked if we still wanted it. We feel very blessed that things fell the way they did.”

In addition, Butner said the food bank hopes to exchange produce for protein with neighboring Feeding America network food banks. For example, they might get beef from Oklahoma or chicken from Arkansas. She said Fort Worth’s location near several major thoroughfares makes such transactions much easier.

“We’re fortunate to be where we are concerning transport routes,” she said. “We have enough food in the country to feed people. We need better systems and logistics in place to share.

“Some food banks are in better markets for food than others, for example, compare DFW to Montana and Wyoming.”

Nutritional boost

Butner said the ag hub and distribution of fresh produce will greatly increase the nutritional value of the food they distribute. Most of the donated items are canned and processed.

Butner said plans are to add a Mission Market inside the ag hub. This is an area that has a retail feel, where people can select exactly what they want, along with learning about different foods and nutrition. It will also feature a family and child-friendly focus, including assistance in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program enrollment.

“That’s the second part of this project. We’re out raising money right now,” she said, noting the fundraising goal is $2.5 million.

“It’s all about nutrition,” she said. “Foods that support good health and well-being.”