Feeding Northeast Florida (FNEFL), the region’s largest community food bank, recently celebrated the grand opening of its new campus.
In a celebration of community spirit and commitment to fighting hunger, the organization hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony at its new facility, located at 5245 Old Kings Road. The event featured notable guests from the State of Florida, City of Jacksonville and Jacksonville Chamber. Speakers included U.S. Rep. Aaron Bean; Kevin Guthrie from the Florida Division of Emergency Management; Kevin Carrico, Jacksonville City Council vice president; Ron Salem, Jacksonville City Council member and immediate past president; Tracye Polson, director of strategic partnerships, Office of Mayor Donna Deegan; and Susan King, president and CEO of Feeding Northeast Florida.
As FNEFL marks its 10th anniversary later this year, the unveiling of this new facility comes at a crucial time for the community. The 12-county region served by FNEFL is home to approximately 272,000 food-insecure individuals, including nearly 90,000 children. The demand for hunger relief has surged, and the organization’s new campus symbolizes a powerful response to this pressing need.
“We are excited to open the doors to our new campus, a project that represents a significant step forward in our mission to fight hunger in Northeast Florida,” said King. “Big, complicated problems like food insecurity require big solutions, and this facility is our boldest step yet. It enables us to better serve our neighbors in need, but we can't do it alone. We urge our community to join us in this fight against food insecurity –– together, we can make a profound difference.”
The new 110,000-square-foot warehouse, situated on a 12-acre site, more than doubles FNEFL’s previous capacity. The state-of-the-art facility enhances the organization’s ability to store and distribute food, featuring expanded refrigeration and freezer capabilities. The additional space will also support FNEFL’s nutritional education programs, providing a space for future expansion of cooking and nutrition classes in a modern kitchen facility. An expanded volunteer center will engage the community, while the new space for partner agency and community building activities will foster stronger collaborations.
The $23 million renovation project was made possible through numerous grants and donations, including a significant contribution from J. Wayne and Delores Barr Weaver and support through a critical New Market Tax Credit. The transformation of the former window manufacturing facility into a vibrant, functional space was expertly managed by The Conlan Companies, with design input from Thomas Duke Architect and Micamy Design Studio.
While the food bank celebrates this exciting development, it also faces the reality that rising food insecurity persists. FNEFL calls on the community to get involved in its mission to solve hunger across Northeast and North Central Florida. Financial contributions, volunteerism and advocacy are essential to sustaining and expanding the organization’s efforts. For every $1 donated, FNEFL can provide six meals to those in need.
For more information, to make a donation or to sign up to volunteer, go to feedingnefl.org.
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