Food Bank of Northwest Indiana Expands Capacity with New Facility

The Food Bank of Northwest Indiana recently acquired a new 15,000-square-foot facility adjacent to its current location on Broadway. This expansion will significantly increase the nonprofit’s ability to rescue and store food that might otherwise be wasted, tripling its capacity from 204 pallets to 750 pallets, as President and CEO Victor Garcia highlighted during the event. The new facility was inaugurated on August 27, 2026, through a ‘Bread Breaking Ceremony,’ attended by community leaders and supporters including Feeding America CEO Denis McDonough and U.S. Rep. Frank Mrvan.

Garcia credited Jeff Strack, President & CEO of Strack & Van Til and a Food Bank board member, for facilitating the purchase of the cold storage warehouse. Strack’s involvement underscores the vital role of partnerships in addressing community needs. Garcia emphasized the significance of cold storage in enhancing food security: ‘As a grocery retailer, we understand the importance of cold storage,’ Strack said.

Denis McDonough, CEO of Feeding America, praised Garcia for championing neighbor-centered and innovative solutions in the food bank sector. McDonough underscored the growing demand for food support amidst decreasing federal assistance, underlining the importance of robust infrastructure, ‘Infrastructure like this gives that response even more reach, even more resilience.’

The ceremony brought together several community figures from organizations like Franciscan Health and Meals on Wheels Northwest Indiana. As of August 27, 2026, NIPSCO reported recovery efforts following the derecho storm on August 11, demonstrating the critical need for resilient infrastructure. U.S. Rep. Frank Mrvan acknowledged the community’s strength in responding to natural disasters, emphasizing ongoing efforts to secure federal funding support. McDonough reflected on the nutritional needs of families, advocating for increased dairy, protein, and frozen food availability.

This strategic acquisition will see existing freezer space converted to refrigerated storage, allowing more diverse food storage capabilities. Garcia expressed optimism that this facility would not only support ongoing efforts to provide food but also contribute to the long-term goal of ending hunger.

The event celebrated community resilience and commitment, highlighted by speeches from various leaders and the symbolic act of bread breaking. Food Bank board President Bob Jacobs concluded the event with a call to action: ‘Today we celebrate progress. Tomorrow, we get back to work.’ With the new facility operational, the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana is poised to address food insecurity more effectively and create lasting benefits for the region.