Second Harvest Heartland, one of the nation's largest food banks, will move its headquarters by 2020 to Brooklyn Park after 30 years in Maplewood.
The nonprofit recently closed on a building at 7101 Winnetka Av. N., which will serve as its future distribution center. The food bank currently operates facilities in Maplewood and Golden Valley.
The bigger Brooklyn Park space will allow for more volunteers and increased refrigeration capacity, which will serve its growing emphasis on fresh food.
Second Harvest is seeking $18 million in state funding for the $50 million project and has turned to the city of Brooklyn Park to act as its local fiscal agent. While the City Council voted last month to help Second Harvest pursue state bonds, several city leaders expressed concern over how the move might hamper local hunger relief efforts, including the area's much-lauded Community Emergency Assistance Programs (CEAP).
Second Harvest says it provided meals to more than half a million people last year. The nonprofit draws more than 30,000 volunteers a year in Minnesota and western Wisconsin.
"We're delighted to be thinking about Brooklyn Park as our new home," said Second Harvest CEO Rob Zeaske.
HANNAH COVINGTON
