Utah Food Bank strives, through its work and its resources, to reduce the toll that hunger and poverty takes on so many children and adults throughout our state. Last year, Utah Food Bank's Southern Distribution Center distributed 6.9 million pounds of food (that's equivalent to 5.7 million meals) to Utah's five southernmost counties: Beaver, Iron, Washington, Garfield and Kane. Opened in 2011, the Utah Food Bank Southern Distribution Center also serves Utah Food Bank Hurricane Valley Food Pantry.

Historically, local pantries received fewer deliveries from Utah Food Bank's Salt Lake warehouse, which required as much as a 12-hour round-trip journey, often on rough roads. Being able to offer a more localized outlet for food distribution has improved service quality, increased efficiency and improved coverage. Through the Utah Food Bank Southern Distribution Center, 50 local pantries and other partner organizations in Southern Utah are now receiving products more directly and frequently from Utah Food Bank. Utah Food Bank Southern Distribution Center works closely with 35 local grocery stores and collected close to 1.9 million pounds of fresh food last year through our Grocery Rescue program.