On Thursday, August 7, we celebrated the ribbon cutting and open house for the Tiffin Community Kitchen at 90 Jefferson Street, behind Old Trinity Episcopal Church, Tiffin, Ohio in Downtown Tiffin.
This milestone is the result of years of planning and collaboration, beginning as a vision in 2020 and prioritized in two Dream Big Tiffin cycles. Created in partnership by Old Trinity Episcopal Church, Seneca County Common Ground, and Seneca Regional Chamber & Development member Clouse Construction Corp., and supported by more than 100 donors, the Kitchen is now ready to serve as a hub for healthy living, culinary training, and connection through food.
During the ceremony, Executive Director Emily Riehle shared how the Kitchen has already been hosting diverse culinary classes, from seafood and charcuterie to basic cooking skills, herbal medicine, and programs in partnership with Juvenile Probation. This fall will bring a professional baking series, along with Saturday morning classes for kids to inspire healthy habits at an early age.
The facility will also support workforce development, ServSafe certification, and community meals, all aimed at strengthening Seneca County’s local food ecosystem and connecting local growers and businesses with residents.
Funding for the Kitchen was made possible through the Episcopal Diocese of Ohio, Mercy Health – Tiffin, the National Machinery LLC Foundation, Alan and Loretta Kaplan, Tiell Financial Group, Tiffin Community Foundation’s White Family Charitable Fund, and a number of other community donors.
At the 2024 cornerstone ceremony, The Rt Rev Anne B. Jolly compared a kitchen to the heart of a home, a place where people gather, share meals, and create memories. Its location in the heart of Downtown Tiffin reflects that same spirit, welcoming everyone and creating a space where our community can connect, learn, and grow.
Thank you to everyone who joined us yesterday and to the many partners, donors, and community members who brought this vision to life.
Posted by Develop Seneca County