It’s not what you think: the only heads that roll at EFN are of the lettuce variety, and the guillotine that Lakewood Rotary purchased will make it easier for healthy produce to reach family dinner tables. One would expect a piece of equipment called a “guillotine” to perform a more gruesome function, but this heavy piece of equipment (the warehouse staff at EFN need two forklifts to move the thing) serves a beneficial purpose.
At least two times each week, volunteers at the Emergency Food Network sort bulk frozen produce into family-sized portions to be distributed to EFN’s network of 66 food banks and hot meal sites in Pierce County as part of The Repack Project. In one three-hour period, groups of 15-20 can repack 10,000 lbs of produce.
EFN receives a significant portion of frozen vegetables in bulk. Warehouse workers place a large bin of frozen vegetables on a forklift, and then raise the bin so that the large metal prongs of the guillotine break the block of frozen produce apart. The bin is then transferred to the repack section of the warehouse where volunteers, civic groups and corporate groups give time and energy toward alleviating hunger in Pierce County.
EFN’s Warehouse Distribution Center serves as the primary base of operations and is the backbone of Pierce County’s emergency food system. Located in Lakewood, the warehouse serves as the agency’s storage, distribution, and administrative center. The warehouse and surrounding lot contain over 20,000 square feet for dry storage, as well as cold storage units capable of holding 130,000 pounds of fresh and frozen food. Food and other commodities are resourced through a vast network of food growers and brokers, transported to the Distribution Center, stored and then distributed to local feeding programs. EFN purchases food at reduced rates and leverages these dollars so that for every dollar donated, approximately $12 worth of food is provided to low-income families and individuals. An average of 140,000 individuals visit food banks in the county each month. In 2009, EFN distributed 13.7 million pounds of food to its food bank and meal site partners.
In 2007, the Emergency Food Network began a frozen food Repack Project in the Warehouse Distribution Center on Saturdays and certain weekdays as volunteer groups are available. Bulk frozen product – corn, peas, mixed vegetables, etc. - will be packed in one and two pound bags for distribution to food banks in Pierce County. Warm clothes are recommended and closed toe shoes are required. Gloves, aprons, etc. are provided. To volunteer for the Repack Project, please call EFN at (253) 584-1040 or e-mail volunteer@efoodnet.org. Volunteers must pre-register to volunteer.
XXXX