Landmark Project Strengthens Emergency Preparedness, Food Security, and Community Resiliency for San Mateo County
SAN MATEO — The San Mateo County Exposition and Fairgrounds Association, in partnership with the County of San Mateo and the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), celebrates the completion and grand opening of the Redwood Resiliency Hall and Community Kitchen at the San Mateo County Event Center.
A ribbon cutting will be hosted by the San Mateo County Exposition and Fair Association, to commemorate the completion of a transformational resiliency project designed to strengthen emergency response capabilities, expand food distribution services, and provide critical shelter infrastructure for San Mateo County residents during times of crisis.
Scheduled speakers at the event will include California Department of Food and Agriculture Deputy Secretary Michael Flores, Supervisor Lisa Gauthier, San Mateo County Executive Officer Mike Callagy, and San Mateo Exposition and Fair Association Board President Rosanne Foust.
The project represents a collaborative investment in community resiliency, made possible through $5 million from the San Mateo County Exposition and Fair Association, $7.25 million from the California Department of Food and Agriculture and the State of California, and $5 million from the County of San Mateo. Leaders from all partner organizations emphasized that the project would not have been possible without the dedication and persistence of SMCEC staff members who worked to secure funding, coordinated planning efforts, and oversaw construction.
“This project reflects what is possible when local and state partners come together with a shared commitment to protecting and supporting our communities,” said Dana Stoehr, CEO. “The Redwood Resiliency Hall and Community Kitchen will serve residents not only during emergencies, but year-round as a resource that strengthens food security, preparedness, and community connection.”
Construction on the project officially broke ground on September 17, 2025, following years of planning and collaboration between the County of San Mateo, the San Mateo County Event Center, and CDFA partners.
The Redwood Resiliency Hall and Community Kitchen builds upon the vision first announced in 2023, when the County of San Mateo and its partners were awarded a major state resiliency grant through the CDFA to improve fairgrounds and community facilities throughout California. The original initiative was designed to help transform the Event Center into a more robust emergency operations and evacuation site capable of supporting residents during earthquakes, wildfires, flooding, pandemics, and other disasters.
The completed project enhances the Event Center’s ability to serve as a large-scale emergency shelter and community support hub while also expanding year-round meal preparation and food distribution capacity for vulnerable residents throughout the county.
Notably, the Redwood Resiliency Hall and Community Kitchen is the first project in California to be completed utilizing CDFA resiliency grant funding out of the total $126.5 million for 17 projects the CDFA awarded statewide to build resiliency at California fairgrounds.
The San Mateo County Event Center has long served as a critical community asset during emergencies, including during the COVID-19 pandemic, CZU Lightning Complex fires, severe weather events, and regional emergency response operations. The new facility further solidifies the Event Center’s role as a vital center for public safety and community resilience.
For more information, visit:
https://smcec.co/2023/11/03/county-partners-accept-7-2m-grant-for-emergency-preparedness-community-resiliency-improvements/
https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/FairsAndExpositions/fcrcp/
About San Mateo County Event Center and Fair
The San Mateo County Event Center is a premier event and community gathering destination serving the Bay Area and beyond. In addition to hosting the annual San Mateo County Fair, consumer shows, meetings, and community events, the San Mateo County Event Center plays a vital role in regional emergency preparedness and disaster response efforts.
The San Mateo County Fair runs from Friday, June 5 through Sunday, June 14, 2026 (note that it will be closed on Monday, June 8 and Tuesday, June 9). This year’s fair embraces the “In Bloom” theme, a celebratory nod to its 100-year history tracking back to the original 1926 “Little Flower Show”. The fair takes place at the San Mateo County Event Center and blends classic family entertainment with modern attractions, featuring carnival rides, live entertainment, concerts, hands-on exhibits, agricultural competitions, creative arts, family activities, and a diverse lineup of food and local vendors. The Fair continues its long-standing tradition of bringing the community together through celebration, education, and unforgettable shared experiences for guests of all ages.
