Dehydration program sets local food bank apart
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KREX) — In 2023, the Food Bank of the Rockies distributed nearly 82 million pounds of food to people across Colorado and Wyoming. The Western Slope location does something unique to feed children in Western Colorado—something that none of the other hundreds of food banks in the Feeding America Network do.
We’re able to take either donated or purchased fruit and turn it into nutritious snacks that are shelf stable.
Sue Ellen Rodwick, executive director Food Bank of the Rockies
They take fresh produce, dehydrate it, package then distribute it to local backpack programs that provide kids with healthy snacks.
“I have heard rumors that they say it tastes just like candy,” Lead Dehydrator Kathey Swisher told WesternSlopeNow, “but of course, it is all organic.” Swisher’s process involves cutting the fruits up and spraying them with lemon juice to prevent oxidation. That’s all there is to it.
The program has dehydrated apples, peaches, bananas and more. In the future, the goal is to expand into vegetables. Swisher says she wants to dehydrate more exotic fruits like mangos, but the program leans to use what is most readily available—taking advantage of the abundance of fresh local fruit.
“We’re able to sell quite a bit of peaches and apples to [Food Bank of the Rockies]. Especially for our off-grade or our small fruit. It’s a really critical part of our market,” said Harrison Topp of Topp Fruits in Paonia. Topp said they donate produce too, when they are able.
Swisher said the dehydration program processed over 6,000 pounds of fruit from January to April.
It goes into our Totes of Hope program. We are also distributing that to other backpack programs like Kids Aid or Rocket Packs in Steamboat Springs.
Sue Ellen Rodwick, executive director Food Bank of the Rockies
“It’s the hardest thing to buy fresh produce and meet a budget. So we can bring that produce to kids in a way they might not be able to get to otherwise,” Sue Ellen Rodwick told WesternSlopeNow.
How to get involved
You can help with the Food Bank of the Rockies Dehydration program. Swisher said all ages and abilities are welcome to volunteer—plus you can learn a valuable skill. Click here for information on how to volunteer.
Click below to find out more information about the various programs where the dehydrated produce is donated.
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