February 2026 Recap

Dear Friends of the Food Bank,

On February 14, 2026, at our regular food distribution, we delivered 88 enhanced food bags that again contained more food than we had been offering in the past. These items included eggs, beef, tortillas and hot sauce. We are currently assessing our food offerings in the context of our clients’ preferences and we will include more in-demand and culturally appropriate food.

We are also continuing to support our partner agencies in the area at an increased level to assist in their efforts to feed their clients and the community.

Our every-Monday vegetable distribution (10:30 am to 11:30am) outside the Patagonia Senior Center has been a roaring success. The supply of vegetables from Borderlands Produce Rescue has been very plentiful and of high quality as we are now in the middle of the vegetable harvest season in Mexico. Again, we invite everyone in the community to visit our distribution, come enjoy the bounty of vegetables that otherwise might be wasted.

We are distributing holiday hams on March 28th, starting at 9:00am. Our regular March Food Distribution is Saturday March 14, 8:30 am to 10:30 am.

We are ramping up our warehouse food purchases this spring with new storage at our warehouse in an attempt to limit resupply trips to Tucson during upcoming hot weather.

Last week I was interviewed by a student at the U of A who is writing a journalism enterprise story on food banks. The focus of the interview was on food accessibility in Arizona, specifically examining the consequences of recent federal cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). It is always enjoyable to talk to those interested in food insecurity and perhaps educate our public a bit as to what we do for the community.

As tax season approaches, don’t forget the East Santa Cruz County Community Food Bank is a 5.01 (c)(3) Not-For-Profit Organization and an Arizona Qualified Charitable Organization, one of only four QCOs in Patagonia. We appreciate donations of any amount by mail, in person at our vegetable distributions or by PayPal on our website. Donated funds help our all-volunteer organization continue to meet the food needs in East Santa Cruz County.

Jim