Western Slope

We work with our amazing network of supporters, Hunger Relief Partners, and staff to ensure that every person on the Western Slope has enough food to thrive. 

Serving the West.

The region west of the Continental Divide in Colorado is served by the Food Bank of the Rockies Western Slope Etkin Family Distribution Center. This allows the team based in Grand Junction, CO, to meet the specific needs of this large area efficiently and effectively. And we partner with more than 110 Hunger Relief Partners in the region to distribute food and necessities to our neighbors struggling with hunger across the Western Slope.

Food bank volunteers walking and holding boxes of food supplies.

The need has grown. So have we.

The communities across Western Colorado, from the plains up into the mountains, continue to see the highest need for support when it comes to alleviating food insecurity compared to the rest of the state. In order to best provide for our Western Colorado neighbors, Food Bank of the Rockies built and recently moved into the new, state-of-the-art Western Slope Etkin Family Distribution Center in Grand Junction. With the ability to distribute upwards of 16 million pounds of nutritious food by 2027, we are committed to providing nourishing, fresh, and culturally appropriate foods for our neighbors experiencing hunger no matter where they call home. 

  • In Fiscal Year 2023, Food Bank of the Rockies distributed 10.5 million pounds of food across the Western Slope, the equivalent of over 8.5 million meals. By 2027, we aim to distribute over 16 million pounds of food annually — a 48% increase. 
  • On average, we distribute enough food across the Western Slope to provide nearly 24,000 meals every day.  
  • The new Western Slope Etkin Family Distribution Center is home to the only dehydrator program in the entire Feeding America network, allowing Food Bank of the Rockies to transform locally sourced, nourishing produce into convenient, nutritious snacks. 
  • We are partnering with St. Mary’s Meals on Wheels Mesa County to help them expand their fresh-meal preparation and delivery service from 600 meals a day to 1,000 meals a day for older adults across Mesa County. 

Providing nourishment and relief.

The first thing Daryl does when he and Marjorie pull to the front of the line at the Everyday Eats distribution in Palisade is crack a joke. The two are all smiles as the 35-pound box of food and a bag of fresh produce gets loaded into the backseat of their car.

“We come here every month to get food,” said Daryl. “It comes in real handy; it’s nice to have. It feeds us and is very appreciated.”

Everyday Eats is intended exactly for people like Daryl and Marjorie: retired, living off of a fixed income, and in need of nourishing food to support their well-being. Funded by the federal government, the food distributed via these boxes helps income-qualifying individuals aged 60 and older get their nutritional needs met without worrying about finances.

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Join Our Team.

Tour the new Etkin Family Distribution Center.

Located in Grand Junction, CO, the new distribution center will enable us to increase food distributed through all of our programs in Western Slope communities by 140% in the coming years, ensuring we are able to meet the need and answer the challenge of hunger. 

Interested in a tour of the new Western Slope Etkin Family Distribution Center? Please email us at ggarayar@foodbankrockies.org to schedule a visit!

Follow us and learn more about how we are

nourishing our neighbors across the Western Slope.

Western Slope Etkin Family Distribution Center
698 Long Acre Drive
Grand Junction, CO 81505

Phone: 970-464-1138
877-953-3937 (toll-free)