Linden Fresh Market and Charitable Pharmacy Opens to Provide Needed Access to Fresh Produce and Health Care Services in Historic Neighborhood

During a celebratory opening ceremony, Columbus Mayor Andrew J. Ginther announced the Linden Fresh Market and Charitable Pharmacy are officially open and will serve as the Linden neighborhood's destination for free fresh and nutritious food and pharmacy services. Until now, the Linden community had limited access to healthy food alternatives.

"A little more than a year ago, the city and like-minded community partners announced plans for the Linden Fresh Market, and we are proud to announce the opening of this neighborhood site of good will," said Mayor Ginther. "The pledge to revitalize a piece of this treasured Columbus neighborhood was heralded by Columbus Next Generation, and their leadership from renovation to the opening is a testament to their vision for reviving underserved, yet vibrant, communities."

The Fresh Market and Charitable Pharmacy are located at 1464 Cleveland Avenue on the site of the former Eagle Market carryout. A longtime nuisance property, the City of Columbus purchased the site to redevelop it. In collaboration with Linden neighborhood advocates and leaders, the city, along with community stakeholders and partners, designed a concept that would meet the immediate needs of its residents. Mayor Ginther and the city announced plans for the project in July 2020.

The Fresh Market is run by Community Development for All People (CD4AP), the Charitable Pharmacy of Central Ohio and Nationwide Children's Hospital.

"Access to healthy food is critical for families to thrive, and we are excited to help improve this access for the Linden neighborhood," said Rev. John Edgar, executive director, Community Development for All People. "Many Linden residents already shop at our All People's Fresh Market on the South Side. Bringing the same quality food closer to home will ensure that the new Market will help many people eat better foods and live healthier lives."

CD4AP was created with the goal to bring neighborhood residents together and provide individual and community resources.

Nationwide has committed a total investment of $1 million to CD4AP for use in the South Linden community, including $450,000 for the market, $75,000 of which is being used for the acquisition and installation of a walk-in cooler and associated equipment. Nationwide will provide the remaining balance over the market's first five years at $75,000 annually to cover 50% of the market's projected annual operating costs.

"We are excited to partner in what we believe will be a transformative community resource that will make a difference in the day-to-day lives of many Linden families and residents," said Nationwide CEO Kirt Walker. "We're committed to enriching the communities where our employees live and work. This is especially important to us because it's in our hometown, and it brings to life our belief that all people should have access to meeting basic needs."

The Linden Fresh Market represents just one of many investments the city and community partners are making in the neighborhood to advance needed projects identified in the One Linden Plan, a comprehensive study undertaken by the city and the Linden community. Other commitments include the new Linden Community Center, a new fire station on Oakland Park, housing by Homeport and Habitat for Humanity, and the redesign of Hudson Avenue.

Healthy Neighborhoods Healthy Families (HNHF), an initiative formed by Nationwide Children's Hospital in 2008, seeks to create positive health outcomes in communities. Now providing support in the Linden area, HNHF will supplement and expand upon the One Linden Plan.

"Nationwide Children's has been a proud member of the Linden community for more than 25 years through our primary care center and school-based programs," said Tim Robinson, CEO, Nationwide Children's Hospital. "But we know that health is about more than medical care. The Fresh Market and Charitable Pharmacy are natural next steps for us and our partners to make a different kind of impact, guided by the One Linden Plan and our conversations with the Linden community. We want every child and every family to succeed. When the Linden neighborhood thrives, we all thrive."

About Columbus Next Generation Corporation
NextGen is a nonprofit funded by the City of Columbus that helps turn underutilized properties into places that can make neighborhoods thrive. We work with neighborhood residents and organizations, funders, business owners, community-minded developers and other groups.

About Community Development for All People
Community Development for All People (CD4AP) grew out of a message of unconditional love and an atmosphere of radical hospitality. CD4AP was formed in 2003 with the mission of improving the quality of life for persons on the South Side of Columbus. Our vision is for a whole, healthy and engaged community where All People are empowered to pursue their hopes, dreams and aspirations; where lives are transformed by faith and trust, and personal fulfillment is experienced through the abundance of God's love and grace.

About Nationwide
Nationwide, a Fortune 100 company based in Columbus, Ohio, is one of the largest and strongest diversified insurance and financial services organizations in the United States. Nationwide is rated A+ by both A.M. Best and Standard & Poor's. An industry leader in driving customer-focused innovation, Nationwide provides a full range of insurance and financial services products including auto, business, homeowners, farm and life insurance; public and private sector retirement plans, annuities and mutual funds; excess & surplus, specialty and surety; pet, motorcycle and boat insurance. For more information, visit www.nationwide.com. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

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