Freedom in the press
We are so grateful to the many people who support our business and mission by spreading the word about our delicious product and the lives of survivors that are being transformed.
We always welcome your ideas and feedback. It’s through our conversations with the community that we’ve been able to learn and grow.
For press inquiries contact info@freedomalacart.org
AUGUST 27, 2018
A Food-Focused Ohio Social Enterprise Empowering Survivors Of Human Trafficking
On a recent morning in a bustling catering kitchen on Columbus, Ohio’s northwest side, a woman named Terrie moved quickly between tasks as she prepared a flurry of food orders for the day.
JUNE 10, 2020
Leading by Example
In an interconnected world, human trafficking is a global problem that touches many industries and business relationships. Employers are and must be part of the solution.
JANUARY 27, 2021
New downtown café will employ, support survivors of human trafficking
A Columbus catering company that employs survivors of human trafficking is expanding with the opening of a downtown café and bakery.
MARCH 27, 2021
How Freedom a la Cart’s new downtown cafe will help expand its reach
Freedom a la Cart’s business is getting bigger so its mission can get bigger.
APRIL 2, 2021
The Story Behind Freedom a la Cart’s new Downtown Café
Mandie Matthews loves making barbecue pork tacos for her friends and family and takes joy in inviting them into her home to gather around food. But “home” hasn’t always come easy for her.
AUGUST 27, 2021
Cafe opened during pandemic offers freedom for trafficking survivors
For a program based on surviving the worst in life, opening a new cafe in the middle of chaos seems right on a mission for Freedom a la Cart.
DECEMBER 30, 2021
Menu at Freedom a la Cart Cafe in Columbus socially and health-conscious: Food review
“Every day is a fresh start” is a phrase that carries seasonal weight as we careen toward a new year.
MARCH 1, 2022
Best New Restaurants 2022: Freedom a la Cart Café
Freedom a la Cart’s Downtown café and bakery space is the culmination of more than a decade’s worth of work supporting and empowering survivors of human trafficking through employment, resources and training. What started as a food cart grew into a box lunch and catering business before blossoming into a fully fledged café and bakery. And the verdict: The food is terrific.
APRIL 26, 2023
Freedom a la Cart expanding to offer human trafficking survivors housing, other resources
Freedom a la Cart has helped human trafficking survivors in Columbus find steady employment, a community and hope for more than 10 years.
This year, the nonprofit catering business, with a cafe and bakery at its headquarters Downtown, is expanding to offer survivors a place to call home, as well.
Podcasts
Freedom a la Cart just celebrated a big birthday.
The nonprofit, which helps victims of sex trafficking build job skills and start new chapters in their lives, opened a downtown café in April 2021. This April, I sat down with CEO Paul Haines. She talked about the work of the organization, its goals, and her own unique career path.
We also chatted about ways community members can get involved with Freedom’s mission — and why employers hungry for workers should pay attention.
Radio Cherry Bombe stopped in Columbus, Ohio, as part of its Food For Thought tour for a live episode at the headquarters of Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams.
Paula Haines of Freedom a la Cart, Chef Cara Mangini of Little Eater, and Faith Durand of The Kitchn each spoke about what’s on their mind when it comes to the food world.
They are followed by a panel featuring Chef Catie Randazzo of Preston’s and Ambrose & Eve, Badisha Nag of Create Your Curry, Ms. Ena of Ena’s Caribbean Kitchen, Jeni Britton Bauer of Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams, and Radio Cherry Bombe host Kerry Diamond.
Paula Haines, CEO of Freedom a la Cart, joins the show to discuss their mission and how you can help victims and bringing awareness of sex trafficking.
Accolades
