Free Choice Market

The Free Choice Market, a food pantry where guests can shop and choose the items they want!

The Free Choice Market at Center of Hope is more than just a food pantry

it’s a place of dignity, choice, and compassionate connection. Unlike traditional pantries, guests at the Free Choice Market shop with a volunteer companion who helps them navigate the shelves and select the items their family actually wants and needs. This grocery-store-style approach reduces waste, empowers families, and creates space for meaningful conversations, prayer, and support. Stocked with fresh produce, meats, shelf-stable items, and household essentials, the market is open several days a week by appointment, ensuring that no one has to face hunger alone. It's a key part of our mission to not only meet immediate physical needs, but also to build trust and open doors to deeper life change.

Center of Hope

Nutrition Pantry Program Gold Certified

The Nutrition Pantry Program (NPP) from Leah’s Pantry is a national initiative that transforms food pantries into health-focused, client-centered spaces. It emphasizes trauma-informed care and resilience-building, helping pantries provide nourishing food while promoting dignity and empowerment. NPP guides pantries through six key areas: cultural accommodations, nutrition education, environment, inventory and waste management, community connections, and policies. Through training and technical support, pantries implement practical improvements and can earn bronze, silver, or gold certification, reflecting their commitment to better health and service.

Between November of 2023 and October of 2024 we had over 4000 individual shopping trips through the Free Choice Market!

Recipes you can make with ingredients from the Free Choice Market

We strive to offer recipes that are not only nutritious but also taste good, using as many pantry ingredients as possible.

If you have recipes of your own that you'd like to share please let us know!

Shrimp and Sesame Soba Noodles

This Japanese sesame soba noodles recipe makes a simple Asian side dish or easy main meal served with shrimp or chicken. On the table in 20 minutes or less.

Get Recipe