Operation Food Search (OFS) will receive a large serving of funding for its Healthy Food, Healthy Community renovation project, the largest renovation the nonprofit has undertaken since its founding in 1981.
OFS will receive $850,000 in renovation funding, which is part of a $13.7 million allocation for local community projects in St. Louis, according to Congresswoman Cori Bush.
“Our local nonprofits are doing the work to improve and save lives in St. Louis. [The] federal funding will go directly to the people who are doing meaningful work to make a difference in our communities,” said Bush.
With a total cost of $10 million, the Healthy Food, Healthy Community renovation will include:
∙ Doubling the racking space for shelf-stable food storage and increasing cold storage capacity with an additional 2,000 square feet of freezer and cooler space to enhance the distribution of fresh food.
∙ Establishing new teaching gardens to educate children and adults about garden-to-table eating, fostering a sustainable approach to food production.
∙ Introducing a teaching kitchen to facilitate interactive classes for participants in various programs, including Food is Medicine, Community Nutrition, and Workplace Wellness.
OFS supports approximately 200,000 individuals monthly with essential food and services.
“The renovated space will enable our team to meet an immediate need for increased food distribution while also doing education and advocacy work, which leads to long-term progress throughout our neighborhoods.” said Kristen Wild, president and CEO of OFS
The renovation project is scheduled for completion by late summer 2024. Project partners include Arcturis (architecture) and Paric (construction), the St. Louis Economic Development Partnership, and U.S. Bancorp Impact Finance.
