Food Share President Bonnie Atmore speaks at the Pacific Coast Business Times Top 50 Women in Business Event April 13 (Nik Blaskovitch photo).

Food Share President and CEO Bonnie Atmore announced June 14 that she is stepping down to lead the Rancho Ventura Conservation Trust she founded with her husband, Richard.

In her nine-year tenure with Food Share, the Oxnard-based food distribution nonprofit grew to serve more than 200 locations and 74,500 people per month. Food Share now distributes 12.5 million pounds of food annually.

“I have had the blessing of working alongside compassionate, accomplished and committed board directors, volunteers, donors, and team members during my time at Food Share,” Atmore said in a farewell letter. “Because of your support we were able to grow in our impact to serve our hungry friends and neighbors.”

Former board member Monica White will head the organization as interim CEO, while Food Share conducts a search for new leadership. White formerly served as director of marketing for the Ventura County Star.

“We’re lucky to have somebody with that kind of talent and experience to help us through this transition,” said Board Chair Joe Schroeder. “Food share is going to be moving forward in trying to find more revenue, more donations, and do it with more efficiency and a lower operating budget.”

One of the fastest growing populations experiencing hunger are senior citizens, aged 65 and older, Schroeder said.

“It’s tough times for nonprofits but the mission there, we’re trying to feed 74,000 people every month and fill 100 pantries,” Schroeder added. “It’s really just trying to maintain the level of service to those people, the working poor and the seniors.”

Atmore will continue to assist White, alongside a transition team including former CSU Channel Islands President Richard Rush, Merill Lynch executive William Kearney, former Ventura County Supervisor Kathy Long and Ventura County Sheriff Geoff Dean.

“I’m excited to be moving into this new role where I can focus on preserving our region’s agriculture and scenic open space for generations to come,” Atmore said.

• Contact Marissa Nall at mnall@pacbiztimes.com.