Bread Financial® and Mid-Ohio Food Collective harness data to combat hunger

Innovation, insights fuel next-gen strategies to provide convenient access to food 

Every day, organizations worldwide leverage data insights to enhance strategies, optimize resources and deliver more effective solutions. And while data is invaluable for modern businesses, its recent use in tackling hunger is particularly impactful. Through its partnership with Bread Financial, Mid-Ohio Food Collective (MOFC) stands as a prime example of how data can be used to combat food insecurity, showcasing the positive impacts of combining technology and philanthropy. 

On Thursday, September 26, Bread Financial, a tech-forward financial services company headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, and a long-time supporter of MOFC, announced a $1.25 million gift to further MOFC’s mission. Building on a previous gift to mature MOFC’s data analysis, Bread Financial’s latest contribution will support its eight Mid-Ohio Markets, which provide customers with a no-cost grocery store experience, as well as its expansion plans for a ninth location. 

“The Mid-Ohio Markets are designed to be convenient and accessible places for Ohioans to receive healthy food without stigma, and our Markets currently receive more than 30,000 visits a month,” said Matt Habash, president and chief executive officer, Mid-Ohio Food Collective. “MOFC is committed to addressing the root causes of hunger and providing solutions and services that allow our communities to thrive. We’re thrilled to have Bread Financial's continued support as we expand the strategy and reach of our Markets.” 

Since launching its Markets in 2019, MOFC has relied heavily on data from its digital analytics platform, developed with the additional funding from Bread Financial in 2020. This platform easily and quickly provides insights into the needs of the more than 700,000 customers using MOFC's services, compared to its earlier database.  

"From our data, we pinpointed areas with the greatest need for food services and strategically placed our Markets there," said Nick Davis, chief innovation officer, Mid-Ohio Food Collective. "We also found that operating hours often posed a challenge for those in need, so we expanded our Market hours based on the precise days and times we saw increased visits. 

Like a for-profit business, we use data to evaluate our program's success and inform our decisions. Bread Financial’s recent gift brings its commitments full circle as we continue using a data-driven approach to ensure we provide the right food in the right place at the right time." 

Across food banks, data use is growing, being applied to need forecasting, inventory tracking, trend identification, impact measurement and more. As an early adopter of data analysis, MOFC is often a leader in finding innovative ways to feed more people, with its models and initiatives frequently replicated by other organizations. 

"The partnership between Bread Financial and MOFC exemplifies the power of collaboration in addressing complex social issues and highlights the importance of prioritizing data and technology to meet business goals," said Tammy McConnaughey, executive vice president at Bread Financial and a MOFC board member. "Hunger is an age-old problem, but solving it requires a new approach. I’m proud of our collective impact so far and look forward to efficiently and effectively driving change in our community."