Preservative-packed food soon won’t be the only options available to the Verde Valley’s hungry.

The Old Town Mission in Cottonwood plans to power up its new refrigerated storage container when infrastructure is ready.

“We’re talking about good quality protein on a regular basis,” mission Executive Director Mark Pelletier said.

St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance will fill the container, which it found for the mission, with meat, fruit, vegetables and other perishable items not currently available to recipients of their food service.

“We’re getting shelf-stable items right now,” mission Assistant Director Lisa Taylor said.

Old Town Mission offers food and services to needy in the area along with operating a thrift store.

When the refrigerated container comes online, so will a new program to streamline food delivery to area food distribution centers.

For the full story, see the Wednesday, Aug. 22, edition of the Cottonwood Journal Extra.