Founded in 2016, Community Market of Pottawatomie County (CMPC) is the largest Food and Resource Center in Oklahoma, serving food-insecure families across a challenging rural tri-county area (Pottawatomie, Seminole, and southern Lincoln Counties), marked by high food insecurity (14.6%) and poverty (16.8%) rates, and limited transportation.
Beyond emergency aid, CMPC operates a dignified client-choice pantry, distributing over 25 million pounds of food since inception (3.6 million pounds and 3+ million meals in 2024 alone, serving over 75,000 individuals). This supermarket-style model empowers clients to select nutritious groceries, minimizing waste and meeting individual needs.
CMPC's mission is "Feeding the hungry in our community and providing connections that enable lasting change." To achieve this, CMPC goes beyond food distribution with programs like the Mobile Market, nutrition education (test kitchen, healthcare partnerships), and targeted support for vulnerable populations (seniors, children). We strive to address root causes, foster self-sufficiency, and build a healthier, hunger-free community.
Contact: Emily Heath, 405-788-4957 ext.106. Donations are received on the south side of the building at our large warehouse door.
ProducePedia
ProducePedia is a free resource that covers the types of fresh produce that can be delivered to food pantries. Each entry includes information on color, taste, and possible uses. People unfamiliar with the vegetable or fruit will learn how to use it, and those who are familiar with it still might learn a fun fact or two!
The Cooperative Extension sites have a wealth of information for any backyard gardener. Once you go to the site (each one if very different from the others) look for a link for “homes and gardens”, “landscape”, “consumer horticulture”, etc. to find information on improving your backyard garden. Neighboring state sites may offer information your own state’s site lacks.
