LCCAA Opens Produce Pickup Center

LCCAA’s new Produce Pickup Center is fully operational in the former Bike Shop at 204 W. 10th St. in downtown Lorain.

A combination of inflation, the end of COVID-era SNAP benefits and other factors have driven up the cost of most food items. LCCAA is working to fill gaps.

Lorain County residents living at or below 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Level ($60,000 annually for a family of four) are eligible to order from the pantry. Ordering windows are open from 8 a.m. Monday to 11 p.m. Sunday or until all appointments are full. Pickups are the following Wednesday and Thursday.

The center focuses on fresh produce which can be hard to get. In the beginning, pre-packaged boxes will be distributed but choice ordering will be introduced soon. Appointments must be made via the online system and honoring appointments is critical.

Those picking up are also asked to approach the Produce Center using Reid Avenue and West 10th Street and not cut through the parking lot at 936 Broadway Ave. Please follow all signs and staff instructions. Staff will bring food orders to your car.

LCCAA operates the Produce Center in partnership with Second Harvest Food Bank of North Central Ohio and Food Forward Lorain. A start up grant also came from the City of Lorain.

Raised beds next to the facility will supply some produce. The beds and accompanying hydroponic system were made possible by a Healthy Places grant from Lorain Public Health.

Youth assigned to LCCAA’s Youth Services program staff the center and have also worked on the raised beds.

Visit www.lccaa.net/programs/produce_center for more information or to place your order.

Contact Center Manager Deirdre Paynter at 440-4570327.