New market offering free fresh food for those in need officially opens in Linden

COLUMBUS (WCMH) – Monday marked an exciting day for many on the south side of the Linden neighborhood in Columbus as a new market offering fresh and free food opened.

The New Fresh Market and Charitable Pharmacy celebrated its official opening with an opening ceremony.

Organizers of the market said their goal is to help underserved people by helping them get fresh food and the medicine they need.

Alexander Clemetson, director of healthy food and lifestyle at New Fresh Market, said he wanted people to see it as a one-stop-shop for what they may need.

“We want to be among those who say, ‘People here matter. They exist, ”he said.

Although they already have a food market on Parsons Avenue, the pandemic has highlighted the desperate need to make food and medicine more readily available.

“Sometimes we would have as many as 800 families a day,” Clemetson said. “We’re back to 300 families a day. We plan to serve as many people here, but we also recognize that the pandemic is not over. “

On top of that, pharmacies are also trying to keep up with demand.

“We saw a 40% increase in the number of prescriptions we dispense in 2020, and it hasn’t slowed,” said market pharmacist Sarah Jones.

The new market is located at 1464 Cleveland Avenue. For more information, click here.