By JANE HOUIN
Ohio Correspondent REYNOLDSBURG, Ohio — Following a rejuvenation of the Ohio Proud brand this year, the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) recently announced approval of the program’s 300th partner.
A revamp of the program and partnership opportunities are designed to make Ohio-made and -grown products easier to identify in participating establishments across the state.
“In a time when food safety is at the forefront of consumers’ minds, the Ohio Proud program allows Ohioans to easily locate locally produced wholesome products,” said ODA Director Robert Boggs. “We are happy that the program has grown to more than 300 partners that employ more than 50,000 Ohioans across 75 counties.”
Originally created in 1993, the program has nearly doubled its partners since February 2007. The Ohio Proud brand provides consumers a quick, reliable way to identify more than 1,500 local food products at wineries and farm market stands, store shelves and pick-your-own fields.
Products range from fresh meats, fruits and vegetables to dairy products, wine and snack food.
“Ohio is a diverse supplier of more than 200 agricultural crops and is a producer of many more specialty food products, giving our state the potential to provide fresh, locally produced food,” said Gov. Ted Strickland. “The improved Ohio Proud program falls right in line with our goal to provide safe, local foods to consumers, and to create new opportunities for local growers, producers and processors.”
The program was relaunched in 2008 to meet changing consumer trends after research conducted by The Ohio State University showed the importance of local food to consumers. Of participants polled, 90 percent said they were willing to spend up to 50 cents more for an Ohio product than a national brand, and 98 percent said they would rather purchase Ohio products than another brand.
The study also revealed that people want fresh, healthier products and to know that their purchases help provide jobs and support Ohio’s farmers and agribusinesses.
As part of the program’s revamp, a new website provides consumers quick and easy access to information that includes locations of farmers’ markets, recipes featuring Ohio-specific foods and local events, such as cooking demonstrations at the State Fair and sampling at retail stores.
The new website also makes it easier for partners to update their company information and download the Ohio Proud logo and point-of-sale materials, as well as to access information on expanding their businesses in domestic and international markets. In addition, information about program perks, fees and regulations is available for potential partners.
Consumers can search for Ohio products by a specific brand name, region or product category. For example, selecting “dairy products” will connect with 28 different producers; that’s a increase of eight partnering with Ohio Proud since earlier this year.
Selecting “Holmes County” will connect consumers with seven different manufacturers in Holmes County, producing pasta, eggs, gourmet granola and Trail Bologna. Again reflecting the growth of the program, only four Holmes County manufacturers were Ohio Proud partners earlier in the year.
Retailers such as Heini’s Gourmet Market in Sugarcreek are taking advantage of the numerous products offered by Ohio Proud partners as well as the high level of consumer interest in purchasing local goods.
“We wanted our own special niche,” said Randy Byers, manager of the market. “We’re offering primarily Ohio products. We’re not 100 percent, but we’re about as close as you can get.”
The market is designed to offer a wide assortment of Ohio food products to both residents and visitors of the area. Located at the intersection of state routes 39 and 93, the 4,000-square-foot market features more than 800 artisan specialty foods from more than 200 Ohio-based companies, many of them small- to medium-sized businesses, and many Ohio Proud partners.
Partners have the chance to participate in domestic marketing opportunities such as in-store and restaurant promotions, as well as product demonstrations. All partners are listed in the Online Ohio Proud Directory, a guide to help consumers purchase Ohio products.
Partners may also take advantage of the network by participating in seminars and workshops that educate about sales, marketing and strategic planning for agribusinesses. Communication with fellow partners is also encouraged, to share successful ideas and develop business relationships.
Other changes in the revitalization are a reduced fee structure to make it more accessible to smaller businesses, especially farm markets, as well as an overall more inclusive program through expanding membership to retailers, wholesalers and associations.
Food and agriculture is Ohio’s top industry, contributing more than $93 billion to the state’s economy and employing one in seven Ohioans. Ohio is home to more than 800 food processing companies and produced more than 200 commercial crops. Of these, Ohio is a leading producer in more than 35 product sectors.
Ohio produces more than just human food; being at the eastern edge of the Corn Belt allows for substantial grain production and a strong supply of animal feed products. Ohio is also a leader in nursery-stock production, particularly African violets and poinsettias.
Additionally, it is the largest sheep-producing state east of the Mississippi River. The Southeastern Appalachian region supplies lumber and wood used in furniture and construction in Ohio as well as around the nation and throughout the world. All of these sectors of Ohio’s ag industry are represented in the Ohio Proud program.
For more information, visit www.ohioproud.org or call 614-466-8798. |
