Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee has announced the purchase of a 23.6-acre site at 1301 Donelson Pike in Nashville for an anticipated new distribution center that will double the capacity of the leading non-profit working to end food insecurity in Middle and West Tennessee. The site will be purchased for $7 million plus anticipated closing costs.
While significant due diligence has been done prior to the purchase, a feasibility study is currently underway with the goal of completion by the end of this year. Following the study, a date will be selected to kick off construction of a 200,000-plus square foot distribution facility serving Second Harvest’s 46-county service area. The new facility will double the current capacity of Second Harvest’s Martin Distribution Center at 331 Great Circle Road in Nashville.
“Our region continues to grow at an exponential rate, but so does the tremendous need we’re seeing from our neighbors who do not know where their next meal will come from,” said Second Harvest President & CEO Nancy Keil. “Simply put, if we’re going to serve our neighbors and end hunger as we know it, we need additional capacity with the room to grow to meet our 20+ year vision. Our neighbors depend on us, and we’re going to be there every step of the way to meet their needs.”
SHFB officials said that in addition to increased food storage capacity, the new location will provide several benefits including increased parking for volunteers, employees and fleet; proximity to major highways; and expand partnerships and program growth.
Last year, Second Harvest distributed more than 47.8 million pounds of food and provided more than 41 million meals to those facing food insecurity. Currently, 1-in-8 Middle and West Tennesseans, including 1-in-6 children, struggle with hunger.
The food bank currently organizes and facilitates 18 hunger relief programs including Mobile Pantries, Kids Cafe, School Pantries and SNAP outreach, among others.
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