On Tues., Jan. 11, Panera Bread hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony at its new location at 91 Medway Road, according to a written statement. The bakery-cafe, located in the Kohl’s Plaza, opened to the community on Dec. 28, 2010.

The ceremony was attended by representatives from Children’s Hospital Boston, the Milford bakery-café’s Operation Dough-Nation charity partner, as well as members of the Milford Area Chamber of Commerce, including president Barry Feingold.

“Our bakery cafe offers fresh and wholesome food choices, paired with the convenient service our customers’ schedules demand,” Gregg Godfrey, Joint Venture Partner for Panera Bread in Greater Boston, said in the statement.  “Our concept has been embraced by many in the greater Boston area over the past ten years, and we look forward to sharing our signature Panera warmth with Milford and the surrounding communities.”

According to the statement, the company and its franchisees have been active participants in the communities in which it does business since Panera Bread was founded.  

"As part of Panera’s broader national Operation Dough-Nation program, which was created in 1992 to formalize Panera’s commitment to community involvement, the Milford bakery-cafe will join the Greater Boston community cafes in giving back locally to Children’s Hospital Boston," the statement said.

Panera Bread also donates all unsold bread and baked goods to local area hunger relief agencies at the end of each day as part of its local Day-End Dough-Nation program, according to the statement, and collectively donated more than $50 million worth of unsold bread and baked goods in 2008.

For more information about the new bakery-cafe, call Panera Bread at 508-865-6756. Panera Catering orders may be faxed to 508-865-0186.