FROM BLUEPRINTS TO HOPE

The Role of Engineering in Fighting Hunger

BRETT HILLESHEIM

In 2024, Georgia’s food banks stood at a crossroads. The state’s food insecurity rates, compounded by economic pressures and the unpredictable chaos of natural disasters, demanded swift and innovative responses. These organizations took up the challenge with ambitious expansion projects, reshaping not just their physical spaces but also the lives of the communities they serve.

Expanding a food bank is not merely a construction project. Each facility represents a complex intersection of form and function, requiring advanced refrigeration systems, efficient loading bay designs, and layouts that improve workflow. Behind every new facility stood teams of engineers and builders whose designs balanced precision with compassion. They crafted spaces that do more than store food—they optimized logistics, preserved precious resources, and fostered a sense of hope. Engineers must think creatively to accommodate current needs while anticipating future demands. In Georgia, 2024 was a year of engineering ingenuity and community resilience—a recalibration of how food security is delivered across the state.

SECOND HARVEST OF COASTAL GEORGIA: BUILDING FOR GROWTH AND RESILIENCE

In April 2024, Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia opened its new 149,000-square-foot facility on Chatham Parkway in Savannah. The facility features a 54,000-square-foot warehouse—ten times larger than before—and is equipped to prepare over 10,000 meals daily.

"We built this facility knowing that we want to grow into it," said Executive Director Mary Jane Crouch. "This kitchen will provide the room and space to prepare over 10,000 meals every day."

The project was funded in part by $3.4 million from the Department of Community Affairs (DCA), awarded through a grant to Glynn County. "The department has allocated nearly $65 million to food banks in Georgia," said DCA Deputy Commissioner Rusty Haygood. "It's hard to quantify the significant positive effects such investments will bring statewide."

Engineers transformed the former Scojet facility into a fully operational warehouse in nine months. The building now includes six loading docks, a volunteer area, offices, and a training room, enhancing Second Harvest's capacity to serve 21 counties. The expanded freezer is nearly the size of the previous entire building, enabling better storage of perishable goods.

"The freezer is transformative—it means we can store significantly more food and serve our communities more efficiently," said Jennifer Floyd, manager of the Southeast branch.

Second Harvest partners with 237 agencies, including churches, schools, and charities. The facility's kitchen and volunteer areas support innovative programs like meal preparation and food education, better equipping Second Harvest to handle the region's vulnerability to natural disasters.

"This warehouse stands as a testament to collaborative efforts," Crouch said. "Together, we are creating a brighter future for Georgia."

In June 2024, the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia (FBNEGA) celebrated the opening of its new 63,000-square-foot distribution center in Athens. Funded by an $8.9 million HUD grant and managed by Skanska Integrated Solutions, the facility addresses food insecurity across a 15-county area.

"We are thrilled to have completed this important facility," said Curtis Elswick, Senior Vice President at Skanska. "We utilized our full range of management and consultant services to ensure the successful expansion of this vital facility."

The new center features over 30,000 square feet of dry food storage and 10,000 square feet for fresh and frozen food. Expanded spaces now accommodate up to 75 volunteers at a time, enhancing community involvement.

"It was our privilege to work on this project, which will facilitate the Food Bank's ability to mobilize up to 74% more food," said Erin Barger, President & CEO of FBNEGA. "We are grateful for the team's tenacity and creativity during every stage."

Engineers incorporated sustainable energy solutions like solar panels and advanced HVAC systems for precise temperature control. Waste management systems, including recycling and composting, highlight the food bank's commitment to environmental stewardship.

FBNEGA partners with over 225 nonprofit organizations, including soup kitchens and food pantries. In 2023, the food bank provided the equivalent of 9.8 million meals, with the new facility poised to increase that capacity significantly.

"This project is about more than infrastructure—it's about building hope," Barger said. "Through innovation and partnerships, we're taking steps toward ending hunger for good."

ENGINEERING THE FUTURE OF FOOD SECURITY

The technical demands of these expansions highlight the often-overlooked complexity of food bank infrastructure. Engineers utilized advanced tools like CAD modeling to design layouts that maximize efficiency while minimizing costs. For cold storage, cutting-edge climate control systems were integrated to preserve perishable items and extend the shelf life of fresh produce. Loading dock technology was upgraded, incorporating automated systems to streamline the process of receiving and dispatching food.

Sustainability was a key consideration. Facilities like the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia incorporated solar panels and energy-efficient HVAC systems to reduce operational costs and environmental impact. Waste management systems, including recycling and composting, further enhanced the sustainability of these facilities. Disaster resilience was also prioritized, with Second Harvest’s facility including flood-resistant materials and reinforced structures to ensure operations can continue even in extreme weather.

In many cases, engineers worked around active food bank operations, ensuring services were uninterrupted during construction. This required careful planning, precision, and close collaboration between design teams and food bank administrators. These technical solutions not only addressed current needs but also future-proofed facilities to handle increasing demand.

TRANSFORMING COMMUNITIES, ONE MEAL AT A TIME

The success of these expansions is measured not just in square footage but in lives changed. Families across Georgia now have greater access to fresh, nutritious food. Volunteers and staff, once constrained by limited space and resources, now work in safer, more functional environments that foster efficiency and collaboration.

In Gainesville, Georgia Mountain Food Bank’s expanded cold storage ensures fewer families are turned away due to limited supplies of fresh food. In Athens, the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia’s upgraded facility allows for larger donation drives, keeping shelves stocked during high-demand seasons. In Savannah, Second Harvest’s new facility supports innovative meal programs and disaster preparedness, ensuring food is available when communities need it most. These projects ripple outward, creating stronger, healthier communities.

LESSONS FOR THE ROAD AHEAD

Georgia’s 2024 food bank expansions demonstrate the transformative power of public-private partnerships and forwardthinking engineering. By combining funding from government agencies, local donors, and private organizations with cutting-edge design and technology, these projects set a standard for addressing food insecurity at scale.

Sustainable and disaster-resilient facilities ensure that food banks can continue to serve communities in the face of growing demand and environmental challenges. As food insecurity remains a pressing issue, these expansions remind us that the solution requires more than innovation—it requires heart.

Georgia’s food banks now stand as models of resilience and community service, proving that engineering is not just about building structures but about building hope for a better future.