CoBank Grant Supports Efforts to Strengthen Rural Food Access

The SE Ohio Foodbank is grateful to CoBank for its generous grant support, helping strengthen our efforts to address food insecurity in rural and underserved communities throughout Southeast Ohio.

Serving a 10-county region, the SE Ohio Foodbank works alongside a network of more than 65 food pantries and meal programs to connect neighbors with nutritious food. However, geographic isolation, limited transportation options, and other barriers can make accessing food particularly challenging for families in rural communities.

With support from CoBank, our team has been able to dedicate time and resources to better understanding food access across our service area, identifying communities where additional support may be needed and exploring opportunities to strengthen food distribution.

This work is helping inform how we plan for the future, strengthen partnerships, and make strategic decisions about reaching neighbors who face the greatest barriers to accessing food.

"We are incredibly grateful to CoBank for investing in the long-term strength of our regional food system," said Alicia Miklos, Director of the SE Ohio Foodbank. "Understanding where gaps exist is an important step toward making sure our resources and partnerships are meeting the needs of the communities we serve."

Thank you to CoBank for supporting our mission and helping us build a stronger, more responsive food distribution network for Southeast Ohio.