BLADENSBURG — Mid-Ohio Food Collective (MOFC) and Center of Hope will dedicate a new Mid-Ohio Market with a grand opening on Tuesday, April 25.
Located in Bladensburg in southeastern Knox County, this market will serve residents of multiple counties by providing expanded access to free, nutritious food on a regular basis to a rural community that is miles from the nearest full-service grocery store.
This location will be the first Mid-Ohio Market to open outside of Franklin County. The five existing markets in Franklin County have demonstrated how the market strategy reduces stigma and increases the capacity to serve families and individuals who find themselves in need of food. Mid-Ohio Market at Center of Hope will offer customers a dignified, no-cost grocery store experience with additional wrap-around services.
In addition to the Mid-Ohio Market, Center of Hope reaches a broader region to serve people living in Knox, Coshocton, Muskingum, and Licking counties with mobile distributions using its new electric box truck, funded by USDA Rural Development and the Knox County Board of Commissioners.
“We are thrilled to partner with Center of Hope for the launch of this Mid-Ohio Market,” said Matt Habash, President & CEO of Mid-Ohio Food Collective. “Our commitment to building hunger-free, healthier communities starts with recognizing the unique needs of every region. Center of Hope is making an impact by increasing access to healthy, nutritious food for a rural area alongside services to help communities across the region thrive.”
Center of Hope, a chapter of Victory Ministries’ Center of Hope, opened its Bladensburg chapter in 2019 to serve the needs of people living in nearby rural communities.
Since March 2020, this location has provided groceries and other support for thousands of people, including seniors and families who are working but struggling to make ends meet. The new Mid-Ohio Market will expand food access and availability alongside the other services provided by Center of Hope.
“Center of Hope is excited to deepen our partnership with Mid-Ohio Food Collective as we transition to a Mid-Ohio Market,” said Center of Hope CEO Dawnel Volzke. “We will provide expanded hours, a wider variety of fresh and healthy food choices for people, and a welcoming gathering spot where the community can come together.”
The grand opening event for Mid-Ohio Market at Center of Hope is scheduled for Tuesday, April 25, at 11:30 a.m. at 25821 New Guilford Rd, Bladensburg, OH 43005. The market will officially open to customers that evening from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.
About Mid-Ohio Food Collective
Mid-Ohio Food Collective (MOFC) is the largest hunger relief organization in central and eastern Ohio. Through our five assets (the Mid-Ohio Foodbank, Farm, Farmacy, Kitchen, and Markets), MOFC addresses the root causes of hunger while working with more than 680 partner agencies in 20 counties to feed hundreds of thousands of hungry Ohioans every year. Learn how we’re co-creating hunger-free, healthier communities at www.mofc.org.
About Center of Hope
Center of Hope is a nonprofit food hub and community center located in Bladensburg (southeastern Knox County). Since opening in early 2020, they have provided food and other support to thousands of people living in 16 rural Ohio counties. Today, Center of Hope houses a free grocery market and provides other services, such as mobile food programs, senior services, health and wellness education, and chaplain services. Social connectivity is offered and encouraged. The comprehensive vision for Center of Hope, as they continue to update their facility, includes a health clinic, farm shop, cafe, and resources to support local businesses and farms. More information can be found at hopeinohio.org.
