Food Gatherers plans 75% expansion of Ann Arbor warehouse facility

It's happening in Ann Arbor's public schools, and now a large non-profit is behind the movement to serve more healthy, locally-grown food to the masses. Food Gatherers, the food rescue and food bank serving Washtenaw County, is seeking to add 12,646 square feet to its 16,977-square-foot warehouse, an approximately 75% expansion of floor space. "We have an existing warehouse here at One Carrot Way, and we are at capacity," says President and CEO Eileen Spring. "We've been distributing a lot more fresh fruits and vegetables and a lot more protein items, which require a different infrastructure than we currently have. So we are expanding freezer and cooler space and adding some space to accommodate volunteers." Last year Food Gatherers distributed 5.75 million pounds of food, of which more than half was protein items and produce, much of it locally grown, according to Spring. The organization has over 6,000 volunteers. Ann Arbor planning commissioners approved the project last month. Food Gatherers is raising funds and seeking approval from Ann Arbor City Council. If approved, Spring says the project could start by mid-October and would take at least six months to complete. Source: Eileen Spring, president and CEO, Food Gatherers Writer: Tanya Muzumdar