April 28, 2009 — The Greater Boston Food Bank has moved into a new, larger building in Boston that enables the organization to handle more food while being more energy-efficient and community-friendly – in time to help serve a dramatic growth in people needing assistance.

The new facility, called the Yawkey Distribution Center nearly doubles the square footage of the previous facility of The Greater Boston Food Bank and greatly increases the amount of freezer and other cold storage needed to store frozen and perishable foods.

The move means that the state's largest food bank now has room to grow over the next 15 years, and can accept and distribute more food to help the growing numbers of people needing assistance in eastern Massachusetts. That number has increased by 11% within the past eight months as unemployment in Massachusetts has grown and the recession has deepened.

"This wonderful new building could not have come at a better time," said President and CEO Catherine D'Amato. "We know our member agencies are serving more people, and we're now able to handle more food and show exactly why this building was built. I sincerely thank everyone who has played a role in making the Yawkey Distribution Center of The Greater Boston Food Bank a reality."

The new facility at 70 South Bay Ave. is 117,000 square feet and was completed after more than five years of planning and 18 months of construction. The Food Bank's former home at 99 Atkinson Street was 63,000 square feet.

At that location The Food Bank could distribute nearly 30 million pounds of food and grocery products a year. The new building will allow The Food Bank to eventually distribute up to 50 million pounds of food and grocery products a year. The Food Bank also gains more office space, training rooms and a third floor roof deck.

The Food Bank is seeking Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification, a mark of distinction showing its successful commitment to creating a healthy and energy-efficient environment with a minimal carbon footprint.

Energy-efficient features include a solar wall, super-insulated roof, and a light monitor designed to block the hot summer sun while maximizing light entry during the winter.

The architect was Tom Sieniewicz of the Cambridge architectural firm Chan Krieger Sieniewicz. Milford-based Consigli Construction Co. was the general contractor, and the owner's representative was JA Klump LLC Project Management Services.

The move was done with trucks and labor donated by Shaw's Supermarkets Inc., and with materials handling equipment loaned by Hyster New England. Gentle Giant Moving Company moved The Food Bank's offices at cost.