Pickering Associates was pleased to join the Southeast Ohio Foodbank, a program of Hocking Athens Perry Community Action (HAPCAP), last Wednesday in celebrating the completion of their new freezer addition. The regional food center facility built in 1996 was growing and had needs for expanding their frozen foods and refrigerated foods areas. With this expansion project, the existing walk-in freezer needed to be converted into a refrigerator/cooler and a new freezer addition was required.
The new walk-in freezer system measures 30’ x 60’, enough for 180,000 whole chickens! This project doubles the freezer capacity of the Foodbank and also triples their cooling capacity. The expansion allows the Foodbank to distribute more fresh and frozen foods to families struggling with hunger in Southeast Ohio. These food items include produce, eggs, dairy, and frozen meats. The Foodbank serves a ten-county region where 500,000 individuals struggle with hunger, including over 17,000 children.
“The additional space will allow the Southeast Ohio Foodbank to significantly increase the amount of fresh and healthy food we provide to the families we serve. Healthy eating is an essential part in living a happy productive life and anything we can do to encourage that is a huge success,” says Katie Schmitzer, Director of HAPCAP’s Food & Nutrition Division.
Pickering Associates coordinated all freezer design and details with the manufacturer, and prepared bidding and permit documents for surveying, civil engineering, structural, architectural, mechanical, electrical and plumbing design. The project team was lead by Senior Mechanical Engineer Jeff Hosek, who also provided construction administration services.
Our team is proud to partner with the Southeast Ohio Foodbank and HAPCAP for this much needed project. In 2016 alone, the Foodbank distributed 1.4 million pounds of fresh produce through their network of member food pantries and direct-client service programs. Made possible by generous donations from numerous community partners, local foundations, and individual donors, the expansion will greatly increase the Foodbank’s ability to continue to serve their ten county footprint. We look forward to continuing to work with HAPCAP on future improvements to their facility in Logan, OH.
Photography by Claire Gysegem