Kiducation co-owners Jamie Mitchell and Aubrey Bach were presented with the award during the Children’s Hunger Alliance’s 31st annual Menu of Hope celebration.

The award is presented annually to programs throughout the state going above and beyond in their support of children dealing with food insecurity.

Kiducation was recognized for outstanding commitment to ensuring children have consistent access to healthy meals along with nutrition education.

The primary center is located at 1736 Commerce St. Contact number is 330-383-7860.

Kiducation co-owners Aubrey Bach and Jamie Mitchell pictured with State Representative Monica Robb Blasdel, show their Program of the Year award and proclamation . (Submitted photo)

Mitchell said it was an incredible honor to receive the award as she, Bach and the Kiducation — staff who are the backbone of the centers –work every day to support children and families in the community.

“To be recognized at a state level means so much to us, and it just validates the work that we are doing here and all the heart that we put into our children, all the children that walk through our doors,” Mitchell said.

Bach said when they were presented the award at the banquet in front of everybody, it was overwhelming.

“Being recognized as Program of the Year by Children’s Hunger Alliance is an incredible honor,” she said. “Our mission has always been to care for the whole child. Making sure every child has access to healthy meals and feels supported in our program is something we are deeply passionate about we could not fulfill our mission without the support from CHA.”

State Representative Monica Robb Blasdel, a strong supporter of Kiducation, attended the event to show presented them with a proclamation.

Kiducation’s Parklynn Weyand, Jacob Roland and Kalani show the CHA weekend meal boxes. (Submitted photo)

Mithcell and Bach spent over 20 years working in early childhood care and education, witnessing firsthand the importance of the children in their care have reliable access to nutritious food.

Last year Kiducation i served 181 children through both their locations.

Bach said the centers use breakfast lunch and snacks to provide well-balanced meals with a rainbow of colors with fresh fruits and vegetables.

Menus are carefully planned with fresh fruits, vegetables, lean proteins and whole grains. Children with special dietary needs with special needs are accoommodated with .recH, and they accommodate children with special dietary needs. Snack time is often a fun-colored themed activities and daily meals are learning opportunities to help the children build healthy food relationships.

“It’s a time for children to refuel and connect with them learning healthy habits and not only are we providing the healthy meals for the children, we incorporate learning about the healthy meals, so it is definitely a learning process as well, not just feeding them,” Mitchell said.

Kindergartin Readiness Teacher Patricia Cataldo helps Naudia Sanchez and Axel Williams with their meals. (Submitted photo)

To ensure the children continue to eat healthy through the weekend, the centers’ partnership with the CHA includes participation in the Weekend Meals Program which allows the centers to send home a box of non-perishable food items each week to needy children. Mitchell and Bach estimate they send home approximately 50-60 weekend boxes each week.

Mitchell believes well-nourished children focus, learn and participate in their daily activities much better — research reflects good nutrition supporting healthy growth development and classic success.

The centers also focus on extending the nutrition education to the parents by sending out newsletters to the parents and community and host trainings. Bach said the center is getting ready to start a gardening program for the children and the community with a literacy grant received at the end of 2025.

Bach and Mitchell are currently working on a grant they hope to get to add a kitchen to their second location which would allow them to expand their impact and reach children outside of their facility as well by possibly offering free meals to the community.

Through their dedication to children, families, and the broader community, A&J Kiducation Learning Center and Kiducation Youth Center continue to serve as a model for how childcare programs can positively impact the health and well-being of Ohio’s youngest residents.” Mitchell said.

Kiducation Early Learners Ryder Jackson and Kolson Culp, both a year old, enjoy a nutritious meal at the Kiducation Center. (Submitted photo)

Kiducation Early Learner Violet Grodhaus, 1, enjoys a nutritious meal. (Submitted photo)