Food Works helps abused families

Food Works for Middle Way House has turned out rustic fruit tarts and paninis from its location on South Washington Street for several months, but a grand opening celebration is scheduled for Wednesday.
 
The grand opening will celebrate the facility located at the historic Coca-Cola bottling company from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Members will offer door prizes and several tastings of Food Works’ creations. 
 
“It’s our way of saying, ‘Hey, we really are here,’” said Donna Storm, business and operations manager.

Storm said Food Works had what she called a “soft opening” last summer. The organization first moved into the building in June.

She said they waited for the grand opening in order to work out some kinks with equipment and other adjustments necessary for the new building.

Current hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Storm said she plans to extend Food Works’ hours in the summer. Third Street Park is across from the current location, and they want to draw in customers when the park sponsors events.

Food Works is a catering company that is staffed by women affected by domestic violence. It is a part of the nonprofit Middle Way House.

Before the move, Food Works operated out of two separate smaller kitchens across town.

One was located in Children’s Village, a childcare center located on North Smith Pike. The other was on the third floor of the First United Methodist Church on East Fourth Street.

“There are women working and living everyday in the community who are dealing with domestic violence,” Storm said.

Nine to 12 employees work on a day-to-day basis, though Storm said she would like to be able to expand so more employees can be hired.

“It’s been a difficult time economically,” Storm said. “We have a waiting list of women wanting jobs.”  

The employees prepare meals for the local Head Start program and the Project School, a Bloomington charter school. They also cater private parties that have included 400-person conferences and weddings.

Food Works will not deal only in large-scale catering, Storm said. The public is encouraged to place food orders for carry-out. Soup, specialty sandwiches and Valentine’s Day cookies are all available at this location.

Storm said they are developing a more sophisticated online order system. Currently only certain foods are available for order online, and Storm said they want to expand online options.

They also prepare a line of crackers and breads that can be purchased in the store and at Bloomingfoods. Gluten-free options are available. 

The new, larger location has also allowed the organization to make a smaller ecological impact, Storm said.

A rooftop garden was established to grow salad greens that are used for cooking in the
kitchen.

The kitchen does not have a garbage disposal. All waste materials are made into compost.
     
Proceeds from sales pay the salaries of the employees. Excess funds benefit the Middle Way House, Storm said.

Head Chef and Special Events Manager Susan Dahlberg said the transition has been difficult but has greatly impacted her work.

“It’ll take a good year to get everything going,” Dahlberg said. “But it’s amazing.”