The Tarrant Area Food Bank will be the only food bank in Denton County after the North Texas Food Bank agreed to terms that would end the collaboration between the organizations after 42 years in the area, a news release said.

Officials announced last week that a single vendor would provide greater consistency and minimize confusion among government agencies, donors and suppliers.

The Tarrant Area Food Bank plans to continue expanding its service in Denton County, focusing on the organization’s newest branch in Denton. The Tarrant Area Food Bank North provides food to Cooke, Denton and Wise counties through partner agencies and mobile food distributions.

The agreement follows two years of agencies working with Denton County leaders and community stakeholders to explore ways to best serve the county’s growing need for food assistance.

The transition is expected to be completed by January 1, 2025. TAFB currently provides food and supplies to approximately 20 food distribution sites in Denton County to serve the community.

According to the press release, the number of hungry people in Denton County increased by 26% from 2021 to 2022. There are approximately 114,180 people experiencing food insecurity in Denton County, and more than 34,000 of them are children.

The best solution is to serve Denton County from a single food bank, the authorities said in the press release. This will allow for a balanced distribution of resources among food banks, mobile food distributions and cooperation with local schools and organizations in Denton County.

“The Tarrant Area Food Bank is ready to expand our support throughout Denton County,” said Julie Butner, president and CEO of the Tarrant Area Food Bank, in the release. “We have expanded our resources and recently opened our TAFB North branch, which better equips us to serve not only Denton County, but Cook and Wise Counties as well.”

The decision to split the aid followed two years of agencies working with Denton County leaders and community stakeholders to explore ways to best serve the county’s growing need for food assistance.

For the past 42 years, the North Texas Food Bank and the Tarrant Area Food Bank have worked together to feed hungry residents in Denton County. The North Texas Food Bank served the eastern part of the county while the Tarrant Area Food Bank served the western part.

“The decision to address food insecurity in Denton County through a single food bank was not made lightly and is a significant step forward,” said Trisha Cunningham, president and CEO of the North Texas Food Bank, in a press release. “It creates a unified front that puts neighbors first and ensures greater access to food and services across the county. The change is also good for Denton-based food partners, as it provides a new level of consistency and simplifies serving our neighbors by working with a single food bank. We have worked earnestly to find the best solution and are committed to ensuring a smooth transition for our neighbors in Denton County and the organizations that serve them.”

Locals can access the Tarrant Area Food Bank’s food distribution online in Denton County.