The Distribution Center serves as EFN’s 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.


In addition to purchased food, EFN relies on various companies and organizations to donate product. Last year, 95% of the product distributed by EFN was donated. Once received, the food is distributed to more than seventy food banks, hot meal sites and shelters throughout Pierce County. For many of these programs, EFN provides a regular foundation of shelf stable (dry, canned and packaged food), fresh and frozen food and USDA commodities.

EFN is the lead agency for both the Emergency Food Assistance Program (EFAP) provided by Washington State and The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), the federal commodities program, in Pierce County. Also used as the FEMA collection point in the county, EFN is the safety net for local food programs, providing nearly $1 million in cash and food during fiscal year 2008 through government-sponsored food programs.

Program staff develop food and cash resources, transport, store and distribute food, provide organizational record-keeping, coordinate major food drives, represent the community’s emergency food system locally, regionally and nationally, and perform other duties that enhance the system’s ability to provide food to clients.


Volunteer at the Repack Project!

In  2007, the Emergency Food Network began a frozen food repack project in the Warehouse Distribution Center one Saturday each month and during the week 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.