Connecticut Foodshare Breaks Ground On Major Wallingford Facility Expansion
Expansion will increase food storage capacity and strengthen the food bank’s ability to serve Connecticut residents facing food insecurity
(Wallingford, CT) - Connecticut Foodshare celebrated the groundbreaking of a transformational expansion of its Wallingford headquarters, marking a major investment in the organization’s ability to meet the growing need for food assistance across Connecticut.
The groundbreaking ceremony brought together federal, state, and local leaders, in addition to community partners, donors, and supporters to mark the start of construction on the 16-month expansion project.
Once completed, the project will double Connecticut Foodshare’s refrigerated and frozen storage capacity and increase dry food storage space by 40%. The expansion will expand the volunteer sortation area where donated food is inspected and sorted. Renovations will also improve traffic flow throughout the property by adding new entry points and enhancing access for truck deliveries and mobile pantry loading and donation delivery.
The expanded facility will allow Connecticut Foodshare to accept and distribute more fresh and frozen foods, helping the organization better serve the over 560,000 food insecure individuals in Connecticut.
The project is funded through Federal Community Project Funding secured by Congresswoman DeLauro, Senator Blumenthal and Senator Murphy, in addition to a $3 million grant from the Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation, private grant funding from the Sullivan Family Foundation, and proceeds from the sale of Connecticut Foodshare’s Bloomfield warehouse.
“This expansion is a major investment in the future of hunger relief in Connecticut,” said Jason Jakubowski, President and CEO of Connecticut Foodshare. “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. We're incredibly grateful to our public and private partners for investing in this project, which will help Connecticut Foodshare strengthen our response to hunger for decades to come."
“Across Connecticut, more families are turning to food banks, and our latest data shows the same is happening nationwide,” said Feeding America CEO Denis McDonough. “Meeting this moment of increased demand calls for sustained investment in food banks and community partners that reach people with the nutritious food. 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. We thank Connecticut for this important investment, and we at Feeding America recommit to ensuring that every neighbor in Connecticut, and across this country, has access to the food they need to thrive.”
“Every child deserves to grow up without wondering where their next meal is coming from,” said Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz. “This 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."
“Food insecurity is rising at alarming rates across the country, including here in Connecticut – driven by a worsening cost-of-living crisis and the Trump Administration abruptly cutting off SNAP benefits for our neighbors who rely on food assistance,” said U.S. Representative Rosa DeLauro. “Connecticut Foodshare has always stepped up for our community in times of need, and I was proud to advocate for $2 million in federal Community Project Funding for them so they could expand their capacity and serve more Connecticut residents. Today’s groundbreaking marks a significant milestone in the fight to end hunger in our state.”
ABOUT CONNECTICUT FOODSHARE:
Connecticut Foodshare is the food bank serving the people of Connecticut and a partner food bank of Feeding America’s nationwide network. In Connecticut, more than 560,000 or 1 in 7 people are food insecure. That includes more than 137,000 or 1 in 5 children. Connecticut Foodshare distributes food to 450+ agency partners (food pantries, community kitchens, shelters) and more than 100 mobile food pantry locations. Visit ctfoodshare.org to learn more.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Ayah Galal
External Relations Manager
agalal@ctfoodshare.org
