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MEDIA RESOURCES AND PRESS KIT

Founded in 1981, Operation Food Search (OFS) is a hunger relief organization that provides free food, nutrition education and innovative programs proven to reduce food insecurity. With a strategic focus aimed at ending childhood hunger, OFS empowers families and increases access to healthy and affordable food. The agency provides food and services to 200,000 individuals on a monthly basis – one-third of whom are children – through a network of 330 community partners in 25 Missouri and Illinois counties.

For media inquiries, contact Lisa Brown, Senior Director of Communications, at Lisa.Brown@operationfoodsearch.org or 314-944-6159.

What We Do

Our work is divided into three pillars that align with our strategy to alleviate food insecurity in families and individuals.

Woman holding baby as she shops for fresh food

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

Man teaching others how to cook

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

Missouri state capitol

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

Child Meals

OFS provides nearly 800,000 free meals every year to kids 18 and younger at more than 400 locations. In partnership with schools, federal nutrition programs and other community sites, we ensure children at risk of hunger have the nutrition they need to thrive. LEARN MORE

MetroMarket

Our mobile farmers markets bring affordable produce, meat and dry goods to areas with limited access to fresh, healthy food. The innovative approach uses a customer model to empower the community to shop at significantly lower prices than retail. LEARN MORE

Pantry Network

OFS rescues food from grocers and retailers, then sorts, stores and distributes it through hundreds of partners, including pantries, churches, shelters and other community sites. This network enables us to provide millions of pounds of food every year to those who need it most. LEARN MORE

Gleaning

Our Gleaning program rescues fresh food from farms, orchards and community gardens that would otherwise be wasted. Produce is harvested in the fields by volunteers and staff or picked up after the harvest and is quickly distributed to food-insecure individuals and families in the region. LEARN MORE

Nutrition Education

Operation Food Search offers in-person and virtual classes to help individuals and families make nutritious, affordable meals using practical cooking skills. We work to improve food literacy, increase access to healthy food, and foster self-sufficiency. LEARN MORE

Teaching Kitchen

Our teaching kitchen includes eight stations where participants cook alongside chefs and classmates for hands-on learning. Classes focus on fresh, simple, and budget-friendly meals that are quick, healthy, and easy to make at home. LEARN MORE

Resources & Demos

Expert cooking demonstrations and video resources  and recipes provide practical nutrition tips for people facing food insecurity or managing health on a budget. LEARN MORE

Policy & Government

OFS’s Government & Community Relations team advocates for policies in Missouri, Illinois, and nationally that help families access food and live healthier lives. LEARN MORE

Community Relations

OFS engages individuals, organizations, businesses, and local growers to ensure our advocacy and research reflect community priorities and the needs of the people we serve. LEARN MORE

Garden Collective

In partnership with EarthDance Organic Farm School, OFS’s Garden Collective equips pantry staff and volunteers at our 170 agency partners with the knowledge and tools to grow fresh produce and expand access to healthy food. LEARN MORE

Food Is Medicine

OFS’s Food Is Medicine programs provide nutrient-dense foods to improve health and reduce healthcare costs. Our Nourishing Healthy Starts program supports pregnant individuals, while Fresh Rx: Community Nutrition serves food-insecure seniors with chronic conditions. LEARN MORE

Logos and Brand Standards

Full-Color Logo

One-Color Logo

Brand Kit

Photos and Video

B-Roll and Photos for Download

OFS PHOTOS

OFS B-ROLL

METROMARKET PHOTOS & B-ROLL

Subject Matter Experts

Kristen Wild

President & CEO

Kristen can address the full scope of OFS’s work, offering insights on current needs in the region, cross-sector partnerships, and the OFS’s strategic approach to ending food insecurity.

Carlton Adams

Chief Operations Officer

Carlton can provide expertise on logistics, procurement, and the operational systems that drive Operation Food Search's efficient and equitable food distribution efforts.

Melissa Weissler

Chief Program Officer

Melissa is available to speak about OFS’s client-facing programs, including child meals, nutrition education and Food Is Medicine initiatives, as well as key partnerships with schools and health systems.

Ellen Reed-Fox

Chief Development Officer

Ellen can speak to fundraising strategy, donor engagement, philanthropic partnerships, and the role of communications in advancing OFS’s mission.

Ashley Snyder

Food Banking Relations Director

Ashley can speak about OFS’s partnerships with food donors, farms, retailers, and local agencies, and how those relationships power the regional hunger relief network.

Jessica Murphy

MetroMarket Senior Manager

Jessica is available to discuss food access challenges and MetroMarket’s innovative approach to bringing affordable, nutritious groceries to areas with little access to healthy food.

Jason Goldman

Culinary Nutrition Manager

Jason can speak from a culinary perspective about nutrition education, recipe development, and empowering families to cook affordable, healthy meals with confidence.

TBD

Director of Government & Community Relations

This future team member will speak to OFS’s advocacy priorities and policy efforts at the local, state, and federal levels.

For media inquiries, contact Lisa Brown, Senior Director of Communications, at Lisa.Brown@operationfoodsearch.org or 314-944-6159.

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