We are thrilled to announce the Mary Holmes has agreed to serve as our new Board Chairperson. Having co-founded the North Union Farmers Market in 1995, Mary has been a leader in the local food movement in Northeast Ohio for nearly 30 years. She is also president of Innovative Farmers of Ohio, lecturer at CWRUContinue reading "Mary Holmes, regional food leader becomes Board Chair"
“Your Amazing Food Idea” Winners
The SBDC (small business development corporation) at Lorain County Community College and the Center for Food Innovation held its inaugural "Your Amazing Food Idea" pitch competition, April 17th, 2023. Ten companies with a diverse selection of food offerings presented - primarily people of color and/or female founders. Beth Gantz, Senior Business Advisor at the SBDC,Continue reading "“Your Amazing Food Idea” Winners"
Second Nature: Higher Education Institutions’ Potential to Support Local Resilience
At the Center for Food Innovation at Oberlin, we and our stakeholders gain tremendous benefit collaborating with our region's diverse private and public institutions. With a content team made up of Lorain County Community College and Oberlin College grads, along with a network of partners at the Ohio State University Extension program, we’ve seen first-handContinue reading "Second Nature: Higher Education Institutions’ Potential to Support Local Resilience"
Why Should We Keep Food Dollars Local?
In recent years, a movement for “buying local” has resurfaced in the food industry. Farmers markets and farm-to-table restaurants, for instance, have often been heralded as ideal choices over massive supermarkets and chain restaurants, suggesting positive outcomes with local food consumption. Because of this rhetoric, many people have adopted a sense of moral righteousness aboutContinue reading "Why Should We Keep Food Dollars Local?"
Cleveland Solar Co-op: The Forefront of Communal Energy
Cleveland Solar Cooperative (CSC) fully kicked off in 2020 as a collective effort of multiple groups of neighbors in Cleveland interested in engaging people who may not traditionally have access to clean energy. Based upon the concept of energy democracy, CSC aims to establish socially-rooted ownership of energy resources to place power into the hands of lower income communities, communities of color, or working class people.
Social Justice Aided by Food Innovation
The Center for Food Innovation at Oberlin’s stated goals center food systems at large. They highlight how innovative agricultural and food systems-oriented changes can overwhelmingly shift our region. As we invest in new, innovative options, our food systems can become far more localized. Localized food systems will provide a much needed economic boost for theContinue reading "Social Justice Aided by Food Innovation"
A Roadmap to Local Sustainable Foods: Part 2
In this article, we’ll look at the final four interventions that were proposed in the roadmap and see how far we’ve come to achieving the goals outlined in the original plan.
A Roadmap to Local Sustainable Foods: Part 1
Foods Business Cluster for Cuyahoga County. The roadmap outlines eight interventions needed for the region to meet the goal of creating a sustainable food sector and increase regional jobs, revenue, and sustainability by supporting local food and beverage businesses. We're going to take a look at these eight options and see what has happened since the roadmap was created and where there are still gaps in the proposed plan.
Compost With a Meaning: Why the Rust Belt Riders Turned Table Scraps Into a Business
Written by: Howard Sinclair A growing concern of American food consumers is how they can get fresh, nutritious food from local farms to their plates. However, an equally concerning matter that receives less attention is what happens to that food once it leaves those plates because it is likely that food will be disposed ofContinue reading "Compost With a Meaning: Why the Rust Belt Riders Turned Table Scraps Into a Business"
Business Support for Food Producers: Gaps in Entrepreneurial Programs
Elizabeth Schuster, Environmental Economist - While much research has been conducted around tech business startups, there is a clear knowledge gap when it comes to helping food businesses start and grow. Entrepreneurial support for food businesses and farmers is as critical as agriculture and food production are a foundation for many rural economies. Further, inContinue reading "Business Support for Food Producers: Gaps in Entrepreneurial Programs"