Celebrate Ohio Local Foods Week

Well, have you done it yet? Have you made it out to a farmers market this season like you promised yourself you would? If not, take heart; you’ve waited until the perfect time.

Ohio Local Foods Week is Aug. 9-15. OSU Extension is encouraging everyone to make a special effort that week to support local producers as well as grocery stores and restaurants that seek out local foods.

According to Heather Niekirk, OSU Extension local foods educator, when making food decisions, many people consider where their food was grown or raised. They make an effort to develop personal connections with growers and producers to enjoy flavorful and healthy local food. Ohio Local Foods Week is not only about enjoying the tastes of local foods but is also about becoming more aware and better informed about the nutritional, economic, and social benefits of local foods in Ohio.

One of the greatest advantages of local foods is that they promote good food. This is a term that was coined by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation recently. According to that foundation there are four key elements of good food: healthy, green, fair and affordable. Good food provides nourishment and enables all people to thrive. It is also produced in a manner that is environmentally sustainable and no one along the food chain is exploited in its creation. The final aspect of good food is that all people have access to it.

You are invited to participate in the $10 Ohio Local Foods Challenge by committing to spend at least $10 on your favorite local foods during Ohio Local Foods Week. I’d love to have a great showing from Coshocton County for this challenge. You can sign up at go.osu.edu/olfw10dollars. I’ll also be at First Farm Friday on Main Street, Aug. 7 encouraging people to sign up and accept the challenge.

In Coshocton County we have some great options for buying local. Some of our grocery stores provide options for produce that is grown in Ohio and even in our region of the state. We also have some tremendous farmers markets with vendors who live and work right here in Coshocton County. Coshocton, Fresno and Warsaw all have markets with lots of baked goods and produce options this time of summer.

Another unique local option is Local Bounty Coshocton. This year-round farmers market has eggs, honey, maple syrup, baked goods, produce, meat, teas and even soaps. I spent my mornings last week at Local Bounty as part of the Local Foods Kids Cooking Camp that OSU Extension and Local Bounty lead together. Twenty-two children participated in this summer’s program learning to make yummy meals and snacks using a wide variety of foods sold at the store. From Zucchini Mac n Cheese to Rainbow Grilled Vegetable Kabobs to Zucchini Bread Pancakes, the kids had a great time exploring the endless possibilities of cooking with local foods. Here’s hoping you’ll share that same attitude and support local foods this week.

Emily Adams is the Ohio State University Extension educator for Coshocton County. She can be reached at 740-622-2265 or adams.661@osu.edu.