WHITE PLAINS -- The Westchester County Board of Legislators Monday night approved a bond act to finance the design of a food storage and distribution warehouse that would be located on the county’s Valhalla campus.

The facility, proposed by the county executive, would serve a dual emergency services and routine food distribution need. 

In the case of a catastrophe that interrupts the regular food supply, the warehouse would be where the county would receive, break down, repackage and distribute food and supplies necessary to sustain residents. On a regular routine basis, the facility would function as a central food distribution warehouse for the county’s non-profit food pantries and soup kitchens.

The approved legislation amends a prior bond act by issuing $400,000 in additional bonds for a total of $570,000 to fund this design phase of the project. 

“By providing a storage and distribution center, we are ensuring our department of Emergency Services and community partners will be completely equipped to respond if the occasion arises,” said Community Services Committee Chairwoman Lois Bronz.

In the event of a catastrophe, the Department of Emergency Services has advised the county will need to be self-sufficient for five to seven days, the estimated time it would take for the federal government to put in place the supplies and delivery system necessary to deliver food, water and basic human supplies needed to sustain the county’s affected citizens.