Quilcene Food Bank Building Project Continues, Operational Design Needs Drive Improvements to Original Plan

As noted in a recent press release, Jefferson County Food Bank Association (JCFBA) hired Barker Creek Consulting of Silverdale to take over management of the Quilcene Food Bank Building Project on behalf of JCFBA. To advance the project, Barker Creek has begun to solicit design-build proposals from regional contractors to complete construction of the facility, which was only 15 percent complete when construction was originally halted. 

Because it is still so early in the project, JCFBA has had the opportunity to rethink the originally proposed floor plan to maximize efficiency, and to discuss including a commercial kitchen. Some improvements under consideration would make it possible for JCFBA to offer cold storage to producers in the area. Another goal is to partner with Food Bank Growers to develop landscaping designed to provide food directly from the food bank gardens to our customers. 

Review from Barker Creek, Andersen Construction, and Bassetti Architects determined that some of the prior work done on the building does not meet current code and won’t support the hoped-for improvements. To address these issues, the electrical system must be upgraded, and some plumbing must be re-run, which will require cutting into the concrete foundation and moving some of the interior walls. The exterior of the building will not be torn down. 

For now, the priority is to winterize the building, a process which is expected to be completed by the end of the year. As this is under way, JCFBA is putting together a building committee to help with the operational design of the facility, which will inform the final design and allow for a formal estimate of the overall cost of the project. With this information, JCFBA will launch a capital campaign to raise and identify the funding needed and other resources to complete the project.

When complete, the Quilcene Food Bank will be the JCFBA flagship location and operate as a marketplace with expanded hours and days of service.

Please submit questions and comments to info@jcfba.org.  Thank you -

Jefferson County Food Bank Association (JCFBA) is dedicated to alleviating food insecurity by providing nutritious meals and support to individuals, seniors and families throughout Jefferson County. JCFBA operates four food banks including Brinnon, Quilcene, Tri-Area and Port Townsend. JCFBA is an equal opportunity provider.