On August 15, 2024, at 8:30 a.m., Golden Harvest Food Bank will open its doors to the community for a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new Produce Rescue Center, located at 3301 Commerce Drive, Augusta, GA 30909.

This special event will bring together community leaders, elected officials, and compassionate neighbors who share a commitment to fighting hunger. The new center will serve as a vital lifeline for over 350 hunger relief organizations and programs that provide food assistance to those in need. It will also become a welcoming space for thousands of volunteers each month, whose generosity and dedication are at the heart of the Food Bank’s mission to alleviate hunger.

This project was made possible through an initial grant award of $3.7 million by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs in partnership with the City of Augusta through CARES Act funding.  This award was driven by a deep commitment to expanding the Food Bank’s capacity to serve. The new Produce Rescue Center is designed to significantly increase the distribution of fresh produce, meat, and dairy products to Golden Harvest’s partner agencies and clients across its 11,000-square-mile service area, covering 25 counties. The center will also house Golden Harvest’s Community Impact Team, a group dedicated to ensuring that food reaches those who need it most.

"We are incredibly grateful to the Georgia Department of Community Affairs and their visionary investment in the food bank network across the state, increasing capacity and impact to those facing food insecurity" says Amy Breitmann, President & CEO, Golden Harvest Food Bank.  “We are also grateful for the private investors who have come alongside us to close the fundraising gap, bringing to life the reality of this new facility that will drastically increase our impact across our 25-county service area."

Key features of the new center include large cold storage units that will increase the Food Bank’s fresh produce distribution exponentially. A dedicated volunteer space will ensure that every item is carefully sorted, inspected, and delivered with the respect our neighbors deserve. Expanded office space will provide more than 7,000 square feet for Golden Harvest’s staff and community partners to collaborate, learn, and grow together in service.

Following the ribbon-cutting ceremony, community members and the press are invited to tour the new Produce Rescue Center to see firsthand how it will enhance Golden Harvest’s ability to meet the needs of the community. 

The ribbon-cutting ceremony will proceed as follows: 

8:00 AM: Doors Open 

8:30 AM: Welcome and Introduction | Food Lion Feeds Volunteer Center 

Board President David Pope welcomes attendees and introduces the event's schedule. 

8:35 AM: Remarks and Keynote

Speakers:

• Partner Agencies:

• Emma Sinkfield – Family Connection of Warren County 

• Doug Hammond – Macedonia Church of Grovetown

• President and CEO, Amy Breitmann 

• Danah Craft, Executive Director, Feeding Georgia, and Rusty Haygood, Deputy Commissioner, Community Development and Finance, Georgia Department of Community Affairs

• Representative from Mayor’s office 

• Representatives from each Chamber of Commerce

9:10 AM: Prayer and Blessings for Produce Rescue Center – Travis McNeal, previous Executive Director, Golden Harvest Food Bank

9:15 AM: Ribbon Cutting and Event Conclusion | Outside Produce Rescue Center 

9:30 AM – 10:00 AM: Facility Tours and Networking

*10:00 AM – noon: Volunteers from Food Lion Feeds will participate in the facility’s first produce sorting volunteer experience.