While the Greater Vancouver Food Bank Society (GVFBS) announced a new CEO, the organization also revealed its plans to relocate its headquarters.

David Long, a classically trained chef who previously was the CEO of the Terminal City Club, joined the Greater Vancouver Food Bank as its chief operating officer in May 2018.

Long has also been in charge of preparations for the food bank’s move from 1150 Raymur Avenue in Vancouver to 8345 Winston Street in Burnaby. The relocation will take place this summer as the lease for the Vancouver location expires on June 30.

The new location spans 30,000 square feet of warehouse space, where their primary food collection and sorting activities will take place, plus 8,000 square feet of office space. The premises also include a teaching kitchen and a larger volunteer lounge for training sessions and events.

Although the new location is approximately the same size as their Vancouver location (38,000 square feet), GVFB public relations representative Caroline Manuel told the Georgia Straight that the organization will be making the new space more efficient and have increased storage capacity due to being able to stack more pallets vertically in their new warehouse than at their current location.

Long, in a news release, also explained that the move will double their refrigeration capacity, with help from a Food Banks B.C. grant, which will consequently boost their ability to accommodate large fresh food donations.

Manuel added that modifications to the new space will continue on over the next four months.

After the organization settles into their new headquarters, Manuel said that the longterm goal of the food bank will be to increase their number of partnerships. Manuel also confirmed that there won’t be any programs discontinued as a result of the move.

She pointed out that the GVFB operates 13 community food locations from Monday to Friday, which members can visit once a week, while members can pick up an annual grocery bag from their main office once within a 12-month period.

The Greater Vancouver Food Bank, which launched in 1982, serves over 27,000 individuals every week in Vancouver, Burnaby, New Westminster, and the North Shore.