Who We Are

Our mission is to partner with Ohio’s Feeding America foodbanks to connect Ohioans with the food and resources they need and to support policies and programs that address food insecurity.

Our State Network

We represent Ohio’s 12 Feeding America foodbanks and their 3,600 member hunger relief programs, serving food insecure Ohioans in all of Ohio’s 88 counties.

Foodbanks source food from federal, state, and private channels. Last year, Ohio’s foodbanks distributed 270 million pounds of food.

In partnership with the State of Ohio, we provide about 20% of all of the food Ohio’s foodbanks distribute.

Ohio’s foodbanks work with nearly 3,600 local food pantries, hot meals, and hunger relief programs to reach people in need.

Together, our statewide network provided take-home groceries to Ohioans nearly 11 million times last year.

Our History

Leveraging food, funding, training, and technical assistance to support food insecure Ohioans and the organizations that service them since 1991.

1985

Informal collaboration between Ohio’s foodbank directors begins to develop distribution channel for federal TEFAP program.

1991

The Ohio Association of Second Harvest Foodbanks (now the Ohio Association of Foodbanks) is formally created.

1999

The association begins a statewide effort to direct the state’s surplus agricultural products to hungry Ohioans, now called the Ohio Agricultural Clearance Program.

2006

The Ohio Benefit Bank program is launched. This initiative connected more than 1 million Ohioans with nearly $2 billion in work support programs before its discontinuation in 2019.

2009

The association’s national service program adds AmeriCorps VISTA Summer Associates to its portfolio, making it one of Ohio’s largest statewide national service programs.

2012

The Governor’s Summer Meals Programs are established through a partnership with the Governor’s Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives.

2014

Following the reinstatement of SNAP time-limits for certain unemployed adults, the association begins its Franklin County Work Experience Program.

2017

After leading five years of successful efforts to connect uninsured Ohioans with health coverage through the Affordable Care Act, the federal Navigator program is defunded.

2021

Over its 30-year existence, the association has served throughout everything from welfare reform to recessions to pandemics, and remains determined in the face of the challenges ahead.

Our Vision

Stronger communities and better outcomes across Ohio through reliable access to healthy food.

Our Team

Leading Ohio's largest charitable response to hunger through collaboration, coordination, and commitment.

Joree Novotny

Joree Novotny

Joree Novotny was appointed as the executive director for the Ohio Association of Foodbanks in July 2023 after a 13-year tenure in progressive roles at the association. She looks forward to continuing to serve as an advocate for Ohio’s foodbanks and Ohio’s food insecure families.

Meet Our Staff
Julie Chase-Morefield

Julie Chase-Morefield

Julie Chase-Morefield is the President and CEO of the Second Harvest Food Bank of North Central Ohio and serves as the Board Chair for the Ohio Association of Foodbanks. Our board is comprised of the directors of Ohio’s 12 Feeding America foodbanks.

Meet Our Board

Accountability

We believe in accountability, transparency, and effective stewardship.

Annual Reports

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Financial Audits

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990 Tax Filings

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