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Rainier Valley Food Bank welcomes public into new $17M resource hub

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  Published in Food and Wine on Monday, September 8th 2025 at 10:36 GMT by Seattle Times
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Rainier Valley Food Bank Opens a $17 Million Resource Hub to Bolster Food Security in South Seattle

On a warm spring afternoon in early June, the Rainier Valley Food Bank celebrated the grand opening of a brand‑new resource hub that promises to transform how the organization serves the people of South Seattle. The 17‑million‑dollar facility—completed in 2023 on a former city-owned building on Rainier Avenue South—will house a state‑of‑the‑art distribution center, a modern kitchen, a community learning space, and a host of ancillary services designed to address food insecurity, nutrition education, and workforce development. For a nonprofit that has been the backbone of the neighborhood’s food assistance program for more than 30 years, this new hub marks a turning point, allowing the organization to scale up its operations and respond to an unprecedented rise in demand.

A Response to Growing Need

Over the past decade, Rainier Valley Food Bank has seen a sharp uptick in the number of families requiring assistance. According to the nonprofit’s 2023 annual report, it now serves approximately 35,000 individuals each month—an increase of 20 % since 2018. The COVID‑19 pandemic amplified existing food insecurity, prompting the food bank to rethink its logistics and outreach strategies. “We found that the old building simply wasn’t equipped to handle the volume of donations and the complexity of our programming,” said Executive Director Lisa Morales. “The new hub is a direct response to the community’s growing needs and the urgency to provide reliable, nutritious food to those who need it most.”

Financing the Vision

The $17 million investment was made possible through a combination of public and private funds. The City of Seattle contributed $6 million as part of its “Food for All” initiative, while private donors and foundations, including the Washington Community Foundation, the Community Foundation of Greater Seattle, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s local affiliates, chipped in the remainder. The city’s contribution also covered $2 million in design and construction costs, and the nonprofit secured a $5 million grant from the USDA’s Community Food Hub Initiative to help offset long‑term operating expenses.

City Councilmember Michelle Wu, who has been a long‑time advocate for food equity in the South Seattle region, highlighted the partnership’s significance. “This hub is not just a building—it’s an investment in our community’s future. It creates jobs, strengthens our local economy, and provides a vital resource for residents who might otherwise have to travel far for assistance,” she said.

What the Hub Offers

The new facility spans 12,000 square feet and features a suite of services that address both immediate food needs and long‑term resilience.

• Distribution Center: A modern cold‑storage area can accommodate up to 5,000 pallets of perishable and non‑perishable goods, dramatically expanding the food bank’s inventory capacity. This upgrade means fewer disruptions during supply chain bottlenecks and quicker delivery to partner pantries.

• Community Kitchen: The hub houses a 3,000‑square‑foot kitchen with commercial ovens, prep stations, and a food‑prep area that can handle up to 200 meals a day. Local nonprofit “Meals on Wheels” and community‑based organizations can use the space to prepare healthy, culturally‑appropriate meals for seniors and low‑income families.

• Learning and Engagement Center: A 1,500‑square‑foot classroom area will host nutrition workshops, cooking classes, and job‑skills training. The space will also accommodate small meetings and volunteer orientation sessions, fostering a more collaborative partnership model with local schools and civic groups.

• Retail Component: A storefront inside the hub will allow residents to purchase groceries at discounted rates. The retail portion is managed by the nonprofit’s “Good Food Store” program, which has been instrumental in connecting local farmers with the food bank’s distribution network.

• Administrative Offices and Volunteer Hub: The hub includes modern office space for staff, a dedicated volunteer center, and an accessible parking lot with electric vehicle charging stations to encourage sustainable commuting.

Community Reception

The opening ceremony drew a diverse crowd of city officials, local business owners, parents, and volunteers. Mayor Pete Holmes, who delivered a keynote address, called the facility a “model of civic partnership” and pledged continued municipal support for the food bank’s expansion plans. “This is the kind of infrastructure that signals a commitment to equity and sustainability in our city,” he said.

Local residents were also present, many of whom spoke about the relief the hub brings. “Before this, my family had to travel to the Northgate Food Bank,” said Maria Ramirez, a single mother of three. “Now we can get what we need right here, and the kids are learning how to cook healthy meals.” Meanwhile, a group of high school volunteers from Rainier Valley High School announced a partnership to help with meal preparation and distribution, further cementing the hub’s role as a community hub.

Looking Ahead

With the new hub now operational, the Rainier Valley Food Bank is charting a path toward deeper community integration. The nonprofit’s board has set a goal to double the number of families served by 2026, adding a second distribution center in the Eastside by that time. Additionally, the food bank plans to expand its partnership with local farms to source more fresh produce, thereby improving the nutritional quality of the food distributed.

One of the most ambitious future projects is the establishment of a small, community‑run “Food Co‑op” within the hub. The co‑op would allow residents to purchase fresh produce at wholesale prices, creating a direct link between consumers, local farmers, and the food bank. This initiative aims to address both food insecurity and food deserts that plague the Rainier Valley and adjacent neighborhoods.

A Symbol of Hope

The Rainier Valley Food Bank’s new hub is more than just a logistical upgrade; it is a symbol of collective action and resilience. By combining the strengths of public funding, philanthropic generosity, and community engagement, the nonprofit has created a sustainable, multi‑purpose space that will serve South Seattle for years to come. As Lisa Morales aptly summed up, “We’re not just feeding people; we’re building a foundation for healthier, more equitable communities.”