WALLINGFORD - As demand for food assistance remains high, Connecticut Foodshare broke ground Wednesday on a 50,000-square-foot expansion that will significantly increase its capacity to store, sort and distribute food across the state.
The 16-month project at 2 Research Parkway will double the nonprofit's refrigerated and frozen storage capacity, increase dry-food storage by 40% and expand the space where volunteers inspect and sort donated food.
The project will also add new entrances, improving traffic flow and enhancing access for truck deliveries and mobile pantry loading. The current headquarters encompasses 81,000 square feet.
"This expansion is one of the most significant investments in Connecticut Foodshare history because it gives us the tools to meet today's unprecedented demand while preparing for tomorrow's challenges," said Jason Jakubowski, president and chief executive officer of Connecticut Foodshare.
Financing for the project includes $2 million in Federal Community Project Funding secured by U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-3rd District, and U.S. Sens. Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy; a $3 million grant from the Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation; private grant funding from the Sullivan Family Foundation; and proceeds from the $3.5 million sale of the nonprofit's Bloomfield warehouse earlier this year.
Connecticut Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz, who was among those at the groundbreaking, said the expansion represents "exactly the kind of partnership between federal, state and private stakeholders that gets results for Connecticut families."
"I'm so proud of the work Connecticut Foodshare does every day and excited to see the impact of this expansion project," she said.
Denis McDonough, chief executive officer of Feeding America, said the expansion comes as more families nationwide are experiencing food insecurity.
"Meeting this moment of increased demand calls for sustained investment in food banks and community partners that reach people with the nutritious food," McDonough said. "That is what private donors and Congress have come together to do in this important investment for Connecticut Foodshare's expansion, a new facility that will help more neighbors access the nutritious food they need to thrive."
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This article originally published at Connecticut Foodshare launches Wallingford expansion to boost food distribution statewide.