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Construction has begun on an expansion project that will bring substantial increases in refrigerated and freezer space to the Food Bank of the Albemarle facility. The addition will be funded in part by a grant through Feeding America and will enable the food bank to provide more fresh vegetables, fruits and lean protein.

“Because of the state and nationwide effects of COVID-19, including record unemployment in our region, we’ve seen the rate of food insecurity for northeastern NC rise to 65,070: a 38% increase,” said Liz Reasoner, executive director. “The need in our communities is growing and to meet this increased need, we must expand our capacity and distribute more food than ever.”

Over the past six months, the Food Bank’s food distribution has increased dramatically. Demand for food increased in key areas of the 15 county service area, driving up distribution by two million pounds over the same period in 2019. The new expansion to the Food Bank will add an additional 80,000 cu. ft. of refrigeration and freezer storage.

“Every year, we turn down nutritious food donations because the Food Bank and our hunger relief partners don’t have adequate or proper storage,” Reasoner added. “To meet the increased need as well as plan for our future, we are investing in growing our collective capacity. By increasing our capacity and the capacity of our hunger relief partners we can provide good nutrition choices that lead to better health outcomes for our communities.”

The Mission of the Food Bank is to fight hunger and poverty in a 15 county service area in northeast North Carolina that includes Beaufort, Bertie, Camden, Chowan, Currituck, Dare, Gates, Hertford, Hyde, Martin, Northampton, Pasquotank, Perquimans, Tyrrell and Washington counties.

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