MAPLE FALLS, WA. – (KGMI.com) A community kitchen in Maple Falls will be getting some upgrades soon.

The Whatcom County Council allocated $150,000 in funds to expand the East Whatcom Regional Resource Center kitchen.

The kitchen offers several community food programs including monthly meals, Head Start meal preparation and SNAP educational nutrition classes.

It currently has a limited use permit, though the recent funding will help it expand its current programs and add new ones.

Upgrades will include the installation of a fire suppression hood and a commercial range.

Jessica Bee, the manager of the kitchen, says having a commercially licensed kitchen will help improve food insecurity in multiple ways.

The resource center is located in a USDA-designated food desert and serves residents in Columbia Valley and East Whatcom County.