In collaboration with the Redwood Empire Food Bank’s leadership and Board of 
Directors, Jackson Liles Architecture engaged in the design of an innovative new model Food Bank, repurposed from the shell of an existing 60,000 square foot industrial tilt-up warehouse building. REFB provides food for 78,000 Sonoma County residents a month and the new facility has provided a high profile home to expand their reach.

The design of the renovated facility seeks to educate and inspire the community to 
action through the careful integration of educational and volunteer activities with the program of a working food distribution center. The entire interior of the building was reconfigured to provide a multi-purpose Lobby and Hunger Education Center, Office space for a staff of 45, two Volunteer Centers, a  mezzanine catwalk overlooking the 43,000 sf Warehouse floor, a 1,000 sf Commercial Kitchen, a small Market providing fresh and packaged food for low-income customers, a 5,000 sf freezer/cooler to store donations, new warehouse racking, and three additional 
loading docks to increase REFB’s distribution capabilities. The exterior of the building was modified to create welcoming building entries and expanded loading docks.

JLA has continued our working relationship with REFB to provide services for several small projects to adapt the facility as their needs evolve. We are currently assisting REFB’s leadership and Board of Directors with envisioning the possibilities of an innovative new food bank that would be 2-3 times the size of their current facility.