Jammin' at the Hodan

A Sweet New Line of Products

In June, 2004, Hodan Center, Inc., launched a new product line aimed at capturing the smells and flavors of Grandma's kitchen. They researched hundreds of recipes, many that are 75 to 100 years old, to provide a product line of jams, soups, sauces, relishes, pickles, cookies, bars, pancakes, and muffin mixes. The product line was named "Papa Pat's Farmhouse Recipes" in recognition of the Center's Director of Food Services, Pat Shemak, who has spearheaded this food production operation.

Since its launch, the food production program has provided opportunities for 40 client-employees to participate in jobs such as preparing fruits and vegetables, washing jars, measuring ingredients into jars, labeling jars, packaging products for shipment, and assisting at various product shows.

For many of the workers these are their favorite jobs at the Center as they appreciate their roles in producing quality products that are highly valued by customers. Papa Pat's Farmhouse Recipe products are now sold at stores in 23 states. Products are available for fund-raisers, complete with full color order forms. This fall a new mail order catalog will be launched featuring hand crafted gift baskets.

Hodan center At a Glance:

• Hodan Center annually provides job opportunities to over 110 people with disabilities with a staff of around 70 employees (including 35 staff at stores).
• Hodan Center provides work services, food services, and enrichment activities in-house. They provide employment services at various job locations in Iowa, Lafayette, and Grant counties.
• Occupational, physical, and speech therapies are offered through a contract with Greenfield Rehabilitation Agency, Inc. Adult basic education is offered through their Enrichment Activities department.
• They also operate five resale/retail Bargain Nook stores in five different counties
• Their transportation system runs six bus routes in Iowa, Lafayette, and Grant counties.

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