New FoodBank Sharehouse Opens and Distribution Site Moves

The FoodBank of Santa Barbara County is holding a celebration on Saturday, March 1st from 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. to celebrate the Grand Opening of the FoodBank’s Sharehouse at 82 Coromar Drive in Goleta. The event will include a variety of food trucks serving delicious meals, engaging family-friendly activities, informative booths, exciting giveaways, and more. It’s also an opportunity to learn how this new chapter will strengthen local efforts to fight food insecurity.

Senator Monique Limón and Supervisor Laura Capps will join CEO Erik Talkin at 1:00 p.m. for a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Members of the Goleta City Council will also be in attendance. Foodbank staff will lead tours of the newly occupied warehouse portion throughout the day.

Parking will be off-site at Apeel Sciences, 71 S Los Carneros Dr., and Santa Barbara Airbus will provide a shuttle service from the parking area to the South County Sharehouse.

CEO of the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County, Erik Talkin, emphasized the significance of this milestone: “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.”

  • 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: 40,000–80,000 pounds of additional food and fresh produce can now be accepted 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.
  • Disaster Preparedness: Space for up to 1.2 million pounds of disaster food, strengthening the ability to respond in times of crisis.

The South County Sharehouse will allow FoodBank to serve more people in need while improving food distribution, sustainability, and disaster preparedness.

In more FoodBank news, one of its food distribution sites has moved to 5425 Hollister Avenue in Goleta (located behind the Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital). The day and time it is open remains the same: 8:00 – 10:00 a.m. on the 2nd Saturday of the month.

To enter the site, go to the intersection of Patterson Avenue and Hollister Avenue, turn onto Patterson passing the hospital. Then turn right on Ekwill Street and the traffic guards will guide you. See the map below for detailed directions.

About the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County

The FoodBank of Santa Barbara County transforms hunger into health through good nutrition and food literacy. It 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 are children.

For more information, please visit FoodbankSBC.org or contact the Foodbank at (805) 967-5741.


New food distribution site located on 5425 Hollister Ave