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Food Bank of East Alabama seeks county support for larger Opelika community market
Summary
The Food Bank of East Alabama outlined plans for a 15,000-square-foot community market in Opelika and asked the Lee County Commission to consider a $100,000-per-year county contribution for three years to support operations and local services.
The Food Bank of East Alabama told the Lee County Commission it has begun site work on a new 15,000-square-foot community market in Opelika and asked the commission to consider a three-year operating commitment.
The food bank—xecutive director (name not provided at the meeting) said the organization launched a $3.9 million capital campaign to build a larger facility next to an Opelika water tower and has raised about $1.6 million toward that goal. The proposed building would triple the footprint of the existing community market, include a grocery-style shopping area for clients, expanded warehouse space, and a meeting room with cooking facilities and room for partner services.
The agency asked the county to consider a $100,000 annual operating contribution for three years; commissioners said that formal appropriations timing will fall into the October budget process and that they want to confirm whether the request is an operating subsidy or capital support. Commissioners also raised concerns about a nearby historic water tower and asked whether the food bank plans to remove it; the executive director said the organization had no immediate plans to demolish the tower and would consider alternatives such as repainting but noted any painting or maintenance would carry its own costs.
Staff and commissioners asked for more detail on schedule and operations. The food bank said construction could take 9 to 12 months once ground is broken and that the facility aims to increase fresh produce distribution, host partner organizations, and serve as a community resource hub. The food bank provided figures to demonstrate local demand: in 2023 Feeding America ata indicates an estimated food insecurity rate in Lee County of 13.4 percent; staff cited a 2024 estimate of 15.5 percent.
Commissioners did not vote on a funding contribution at the meeting but indicated support for the project and asked staff to include any formal request in the October appropriations process. The food bank requested county operating support separate from city contributions; Auburn and Opelika have each pledged $100,000 toward the capital campaign.
