Local & Community
Food Now Food Pantry Continues to Feed Hundreds of Coachella Valley Families Amid Rising Need
For many families across the Coachella Valley, putting food on the table has become increasingly difficult as the cost of living continues to rise.
Hidden behind a commercial shopping center in Desert Hot Springs, one organization has quietly spent decades helping ensure thousands of residents do not go hungry.
Food Now Food Pantry, the largest food pantry in the Coachella Valley, serves more than 650 families every week through its drive-thru food distribution program.
From the outside, there is little to indicate the warehouse's impact on the community. But inside, shelves lined with food, stacks of donated groceries, and dedicated volunteers reveal an operation focused on fighting food insecurity.
Executive Director Tom Tragesser, who first joined the organization as a volunteer, says Food Now has grown significantly since its early beginnings.
Each day, the pantry's truck—marked with its distinctive orange lettering—travels to more than a dozen local grocery stores to recover surplus food through its partnership with Feeding America. The rescued food is sorted, packaged, and distributed to families throughout the Coachella Valley.
As grocery prices and other household expenses continue to climb, Food Now says demand for its services has steadily increased. Staff say the people seeking assistance come from all walks of life, reflecting the growing financial challenges facing the region.
With the need continuing to grow, Food Now says its mission remains the same: ensuring no family has to wonder where its next meal will come from and providing help when the community needs it most.
By: Alondra Campos
July 1, 2026
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