Nearly 50 Rancho Cordova Chamber of Commerce members, elected officials, community partners, volunteers and supporters gathered Tuesday, Aug. 18, for the Rancho Cordova Community Food Hub ribbon-cutting ceremony. From left are Rancho Cordova Mayor Garrett Gatewood; Elliot Stevenson; Carrie Johnson, executive director of the Rancho Cordova Food Locker; Councilmember David M. Sander; Sacramento County District 5 Supervisor Pat Hume; and Debbie Holden, vice president of expansion and development.

RANCHO CORDOVA, CA (MPG) - Families seeking food assistance can now shop from shelves and choose their own groceries at the Rancho Cordova Community Food Hub, which opened Wednesday, Aug. 19, after community leaders marked the new facility with a ribbon cutting the day before.

The 6,600-square-foot hub at 2771 Don Juan Drive replaces the former Rancho Cordova Food Locker with a no-cost, grocery store-style model. Clients use shopping carts and select their own fresh produce, dairy products, proteins, pantry staples and culturally familiar foods rather than receiving a prepacked box.

The facility is expected to serve more than 1,500 local families each week. It also includes a Kids Corner for young children and a community meeting room intended to expand the hub beyond food distribution.

The Rancho Cordova Community Food Hub, opened Wednesday, Aug. 19, after community leaders marked the new facility with a ribbon cutting on Tuesday, Aug. 18.

Nearly 50 Rancho Cordova Chamber of Commerce members, elected officials, community partners, volunteers and supporters gathered Tuesday, Aug. 18, for the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Carrie Johnson, executive director of the Rancho Cordova Food Locker, said the opening represented the culmination of years of planning, fundraising and construction.

“The Hub is now ready to do what it was built to do: welcome our neighbors,” Johnson said.

Johnson credited the city of Rancho Cordova with helping turn the concept into a working facility, saying city leaders supported a different approach to addressing food insecurity.

“We didn’t want to simply build a larger food pantry,” Johnson said. “We wanted to create a neighborhood grocery experience, where children can see their parents shopping just like any other family, and where asking for help does not mean giving up dignity or choice.”

The 6,600-square-foot hub at 2771 Don Juan Drive replaces the former Rancho Cordova Food Locker with a no-cost, grocery store-style model.

Sacramento County District 5 Supervisor Pat Hume said the model helps connect available resources with families who need them while preserving that sense of choice.

“I think this is the model for the future,” Hume said. “It’s certainly something that has been a long time coming of that next-level generation of food connection.”

Rancho Cordova Mayor Garrett Gatewood recalled discussing the idea with Johnson several years ago at the former food locker location. He said the project reflects a shared local effort to address a basic need.

“Food insecurity is something no one wants to wake up with,” Gatewood said. “From the city of Rancho Cordova, I couldn’t be prouder.”

Community partners, including Gold River Grocery Outlet, First Northern Bank and Elliot Stevenson, were recognized and thanked for their support during the Rancho Cordova Community Food Hub ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Representatives for U.S. Rep. Ami Bera, Assemblymember Josh Hoover and state Sen. Roger Niello also attended the ceremony and presented certificates of recognition. Josh Gumacal, a field representative for Bera, said the congressman had previously toured and volunteered at the site while it was still under development.

“Last year, it was still bare bones,” Gumacal said. “It was still coming together, but the vision was there. And so we’re so happy to see this project come to fruition.”

Johnson said the new building is intended to become more than a place where residents obtain groceries. Organizers hope it can also connect families with resources, education and community services.

“Food is just the beginning,” Johnson said. “Our hope is that the Community Food Hub becomes a place of connection, belonging, resources, education and opportunity.”

For more information visit https://www.ranchocordovafoodlocker.org/.

Certificates of recognition were presented by local officials during the Rancho Cordova Community Food Hub ribbon-cutting ceremony. From left are Natalya Sachuk, representing Assemblymember Josh Hoover; Carrie Johnson, executive director of the Rancho Cordova Food Locker; Diann Rogers, CEO and president of the Rancho Cordova Area Chamber of Commerce; Sacramento County District 5 Supervisor Pat Hume; Josh Gumacal, field representative for U.S. Rep. Ami Bera; and Mila Klinsmann, representing state Sen. Roger Niello.