Walk-In Freezer Strengthens Weekly Food Access in Taos

More Taos residents are experiencing food insecurity and relying on St. James Food Pantry, the county’s only weekly food distribution provider, which currently serves approximately 1,600 individuals and families. However, limited freezer capacity restricts the pantry’s ability to store and distribute frozen food, sometimes resulting in spoilage and waste even as demand continues to grow.

To address this storage gap, volunteers at St. James developed a solution and reached out to LOR: install a commercial walk-in freezer to preserve bulk food deliveries and increase capacity for the growing number of households served.

With LOR’s support, St. James Episcopal Church will purchase and install a commercial walk-in freezer for frozen protein and other perishable items. The freezer will enable the pantry to accept larger food donations from regional partners while reducing spoilage, improving purchasing flexibility, and ultimately building on the organization’s more than 40 years of service to the community.