Fostering

Food Justice

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At The Food Mill, we believe food should do more than fill a plate.

In our community, food nourishes, heals, and creates opportunity. But for too many neighbors, access is still out of reach. We’re working to change that, creating a culture where food truly matters, for health, for families, and for our local economy.
The Food Mill our cities health chart
Food Mill Cycle in America

Nutrition Insecurity Impacts Us All.

The truth about our city's health is part of the WHY behind what we do everyday. Our programs are strategic, long-term responses to this information. We know that when our city is healthier, everyone benefits. Research shows nutrition insecurity is directly related to poor health outcomes, both physical and mental, and increased healthcare use and spending. Diet-related health conditions cost our city millions of dollars each year in direct health care spending and lost economic productivity. Nutrition insecurity, or not having adequate resources for affordable nutritious food, is a key reason for preventable illnesses in our community. It leads to a variety of issues, including poor health and oftentimes preventable diseases.

Our Mission & Vision
The Food Mill, Inc is a 501(c)3 non-profit social enterprise that exists to eliminate barriers that prevent access to nourishing food. We seek to address the root causes of diet-related chronic illnesses, create economic opportunity through culinary development, champion urban farming, and advocate for food policies that create a more equitable and sustainable food system. We do this through our programs and strategic collaborations with like-minded organizations.
Our Values
A community without barriers to affordable, nutritious food that positively impacts education, health and the economy.

Food is Love

Empowering Communities Through Nourishment: Our Vision for a Healthier, Vibrant Columbus

At The Food Mill, we envision a different Columbus. We see a health conscious, vibrant, connected community where everyone has access to nourishing, healthy food. We see a supportive, creative culinary culture where food entrepreneurs thrive. We envision barriers like affordability and accessibility to healthy, local food removed so that preventable diseases decrease and wellness is the new normal.

We focus our efforts on underserved communities by implementing sustainable programs that provide:

    • easy-to-access markets that supply affordable and nutritious food.
    • nutritional education opportunities.
    • economic development through culinary and urban agricultural training.
“When I started this class, my daughter had just been diagnosed with diabetes. She was on insulin, but since we’ve incorporated more vegetables, smaller portions and started to pay attention to what she eats and how she eats, we were able to come off all her insulin. She’s only 13 years old. This class has helped me a lot with ways to cook healthier.”
Shericka Huling, local mother of four & Cooking Matters Graduate
Shericka Huling, local mother of four & Cooking Matters Graduate

Creating Impact Through Our Strategic Programs

  • Mobile Farmers Market (Stops in Columbus and surrounding rural counties)
  • School Breakfast Program (Truth Spring Academy)
  • Cooking Matters Courses (Nutrition Education & Cooking Classes)
  • Cafe & Indoor Farmers Market
  • Truth Spring Academy Trade School
  • Open Door Culinary Programs
  • Shared Kitchen (coming soon!)
  • Heart-Healthy Pantry (relaunching soon!)
  • Jordan High School
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Driving Change: Advocating for Equity in Our Food System on Capitol Hill

As a grantee of the Reinvestment Fund's Healthy Food Financing Initiative, we were proud to be invited to Capitol Hill to educate Congress about the work of The Food Mill in 2023.  We believe that creating a more equitable food system in our city involves educating decision makers and advocating through legislation that truly has the power to shift our systems.
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The Food Mill people talking at press conference table