Mike Hochron is the Senior Vice President of Marketing and Communications for the Mid-Ohio Food Collective and said the newest and largest Mid-Ohio market provides a grocery store experience for those in need. He said it is just one part of several wrap-around services the food bank offers in their re-imagined efforts to end hunger in our area.
The new Mid-Ohio Market opened Monday and is located on Norton Road. It is the fourth market opened by the Mid-Ohio Food Collective.
“We selected this location because our data told us that there were more than 5,000 families just last year that made the drive from the 43228-zip code here on the far west side, all the way down to Grove City to visit our onsite food pantry down there. And what that tells us is that there's a real need in this community, and we wanted to make sure that we were reducing barriers so families can access the food that they need, “ said Hochron.
“It's about combating the stigma that goes with food insecurity. We know sometimes that families have obstacles that keep them from coming to access help, and sometimes that's about location and accessibility and convenience. And sometimes it's about the stigma that comes with asking for help, “ he said.
Hochron said the food bank desperately needs the community’s help at their new market location.
“We need the community to step up and serve right along with us and its volunteers that are the heartbeat of our organization and that helped make sure our neighbors are able to access the fresh nutritious food and so we are encouraging our community to go onto our website mofc.org, “ Hochron said.
