Connecticut Foodshare Breaks Ground on Major Expansion

Connecticut Foodshare is expanding its capacity to meet growing demand for food assistance across the state.

The organization broke ground on a major expansion of its Wallingford headquarters July 29.

Once complete, the project will double Foodshare’s refrigerated and frozen storage capacity and increase dry food storage space by 40%.

It will also expand the facility’s volunteer sortation area, where food is inspected and sorted, and improve traffic flow.

Significant Investment

Overall, the goal is to better serve the more than 560,000 Connecticut residents experiencing food insecurity.

Connecticut Foodshare president and CEO Jason Jakubowski called the expansion “one of the most significant investments” in its history.

“It gives us the tools to meet today’s unprecedented demand while preparing for tomorrow’s challenges,” Jakubowski said.

Connecticut Foodshare is funding the project in part with Federal Community Project Funding secured by members of Connecticut’s congressional delegation.

“We’re incredibly grateful to our public and private partners for investing in this project.”

Connecticut Foodshare’s Jason Jakubowski

The Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation also provided a $3 million grant for the expansion.

In addition, Connecticut Foodshare received private grant funding from the Sullivan Family Foundation and is using proceeds from the sale of its Bloomfield warehouse to support the project.

“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,” Jakubowski said.

The project is expected to be completed in the next 16 months.