The Ohio Beverage Association’s board of directors were joined by government affairs and member volunteers for a day of serving the community at the Mid-Ohio Food Collective’s Gantz Road Market. The volunteer shift included greeting people as they arrived, restocking shelves and assisting customers as they made their way through the market.
Tim White, the Director of Government Relations and Advocacy for the Mid-Ohio Food Collective (MOFC), shared a compelling insight with the OhioBev group: at MOFC, dignity is paramount. This commitment to dignity is evident in how the collective interacts with those they serve. For example, at the Gantz Road Market, individuals are treated as “customers,” mirroring the experience of shopping in a traditional grocery store. Customers select their own items and go through a checkout line, fostering autonomy and respect.
MOFC’s dedication to dignity is matched by its extraordinary impact. Every day, the collective provides over 170,000 meals across 20 Ohio counties. The scale of their reach is staggering– in fiscal year 2024 alone, MOFC served more than half a million unique individuals—enough people to fill Ohio Stadium five times.
Their commitment to fresh and nutritious food is evident in their annual distribution of over 50 million pounds of fresh food, including produce grown on their 10-acre Mid-Ohio Farms.
Behind these impressive numbers is a community of dedicated volunteers. In 2024, MOFC received 104,706 hours of service from volunteers, with a value of over $3 million.
Through a combination of dignity-centered service, innovative food solutions, and community support, the Mid-Ohio Food Collective is making a profound difference in the lives of Ohioans. OhioBev was proud to witness this firsthand.
To learn more about the Mid-Ohio Food Collective, including opportunities to volunteer or contribute, please visit their website.
