COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — The Mid-Ohio Food Collective has launched an inventive way to provide food for the community .
Secure refrigerated lockers are free for qualifying customers and convenient for busy residents and families. The lockers are located in a unit at the Mid-Ohio Market on Norton Road in west Columbus. Parcel Storage
"More than half of the people we help go to work," Matt Habash, president and CEO of MOFC told ABC 6, "and if they're working during the hours the pantries are open, they can't get there. This is a way for them to get access when it's convenient."
The lockers are designed to give families in need peace of mind knowing their food will be secure and fresh upon pickup.
"We have a whole food-healthy strategy," Habash said. "We know from all our diabetes research we did in 2010-2012 that we can lower A1C when people get regular access to fresh foods. This is an opportunity to continue to do that."
This one-of-a-kind service was funded by Humana Healthy Horizons, a partner of MOFC which helps contribute to addressing food insecurity.
"Food is medicine and food is health," Kathie Mancini, market president of Humana Healthy Horizons of Ohio said. "It really helps us in our mission of ensuring there's access and availability to fresh and nutritious food."
MOFC and Humana hope to expand these lockers to other markets and rural communities with limited access to food banks.
Smart Parcel Drop Box If you'd like to volunteer for MOFC, head here.