MOFC’s prepared foods initiatives will get a major boost next year when the Mid-Ohio Kitchen moves its main operation to the Eastland Prosperity Center, our new human services hub in southeast Columbus set to open in 2026.
In 2024, Mid-Ohio Kitchen served more than 408,000 nutritious meals at summer feeding sites, senior centers, after-school programs, community meals, and more. The kitchen’s new location at the Eastland Prosperity Center will span more than 12,000 square feet and dramatically increase output, said Director of Prepare Foods Sha-Wana Pressley.
“Adding Eastland will help us make thousands more meals faster than ever,” Sha-Wana said. “Mid-Ohio Kitchen is all about giving customers healthy, tasty, and convenient options. More capacity means fewer hungry neighbors and better grab-and-go options at Mid-Ohio Markets.”
The Eastland kitchen facility will have automated equipment, a new walk-in cooler and freezer, upgraded storage, multiple food prep stations, and more. The Mid-Ohio Kitchen team predicts these upgrades will boost overall efficiency by up to 40%.
Sha-Wana said the new production kitchen will be especially helpful during MOFC’s summer feeding program. As of August 2025, the Kitchen team estimated that they’d distributed more than 100,000 kids’ meals in Franklin and Licking Counties this summer. A final tally is still forthcoming, and the actual number is likely higher, Sha-Wana said.
“We have many mouths to feed in the summer,” said Sha-Wana. “The new kitchen will help us keep hungry kids full and happy, especially when school’s out.”
To help our kitchen team build healthier communities, you can donate at give.mofc.org. To learn more about the Eastland Prosperity Center, visit www.mofc.org/eastland.
