A $150,000 contract with the City will help the organization enhance refrigerated food distribution across San Diego County.
San Diego, CA (June 4, 2026) – The Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank has signed a $150,000 contract with the City of San Diego to increase the nonprofit’s capacity to recover and distribute fresh, nutritious food across San Diego County. This work is funded by a grant the City received from CalRecycle.
A 26‑foot, Class B refrigerated truck equipped with a rail liftgate — a vital component for securely carrying perishable foods, including fresh produce, dairy and protein — will be partially funded through the partnership.
“This investment from the City of San Diego and CalRecycle is a game-changer for our food recovery efforts,” said Casey Castillo, CEO of the San Diego Food Bank. “With nearly half of the food we distribute consisting of fresh produce, expanding our refrigerated fleet allows us to rescue more high-quality food, reduce waste and deliver it efficiently to families who need it most.”
The new refrigerated truck will increase the San Diego Food Bank’s ability to retrieve excess food from area schools, manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers while guaranteeing that all goods are transported in compliance with strict food safety standards. It will also improve the organization’s capacity to assist rural and underserved communities where access to fresh, healthy food is limited.
“The City of San Diego Environmental Services Department (ESD) is proud to allocate a portion of our CalRecycle grant funding to support partners like the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank who are leading the way in reducing food waste and increasing access to fresh, healthy foods,” said Kirby Brady, Director of ESD. “Investing in food recovery infrastructure like refrigerated transportation ensures that more edible food reaches communities instead of landfills.”
In addition to supporting daily operations, the truck will improve the San Diego Food Bank’s emergency response capabilities. The organization has been instrumental in disaster relief operations, most recently helping the nearby Los Angeles areas affected by wildfires in 2025 and reacting to the floods in San Diego in 2024.
Castillo continued, “This grant not only helps us meet today’s needs, but also prepares us for future challenges. It ensures we can scale our efforts, respond quickly, and continue delivering wholesome food, including fresh rescue items, safely and effectively throughout the region.”
The truck will be insulated and have a built-in refrigeration unit designed to keep perishable food products such as fruits, vegetables, dairy products and meats at a safe and consistent temperature as the food is delivered.
With nearly 50% of all distributed food by the San Diego Food Bank consisting of fresh produce, investments in refrigerated transportation are essential to advancing food recovery, reducing environmental waste and improving food access for vulnerable populations.
For more information, visit sandiegofoodbank.org.
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About the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank
Established in 1977, the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank is the largest hunger-relief organization in San Diego County. Serving as the countywide food safety net, the Food Bank provides nutritious food to people in need, advocates on behalf of the hungry, and educates the public about hunger-related issues. Through a network of direct service programs and more than 450 nonprofit partners, the Food Bank serves an average of 400,000 people every month. In fiscal year 2025, the organization distributed over 52 million pounds of food — equivalent to more than 43.3 million meals. Learn more at sandiegofoodbank.org and follow us @sdfoodbank.