Maumee Valley Food

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Ohio's Food Systems - Farms at the Heart of It All | Community Supported Agriculture

Northwest Ohio Food Vendors

This web site offers information about Northwest Ohio local food vendors. The list below is based on one compiled by the Area Office on Aging of Northwestern Ohio, Inc., the local administrators of the Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP). This is an amazing program where low income older adults receive coupons to purchase fresh, locally grown fruits, vegetables, herbs and honey at area farm stands and farm markets. Much of the success of the SFMNP is due to the wonderful partnerships with over 140 participating farmers in our area. This program is provided by the USDA and the ODA and is an equal opportunity provider.

Click a county name from the list below to view local food vendors in that area. Note that map locations for some vendors are approximations.

Ohio's Food Systems — Farms At the Heart of It All

UAC commissioned a study of Ohio's food system by Ken Meter of Crossroads Resource Center, a non-profit organization that works with communities and their allies to foster democracy and local self-determination. From the study's Options for Action:

This study has found that the prevailing food system in Ohio has failed to build health, wealth, connection and capacity in Ohio communities to the extent that Ohioans deserve. Indeed, the food system often frustrates these purposes.

In response, residents are actively building community-based networks that include clusters of food businesses, with supportive social connections, popular organizations, and policy inititives, that strive toward a better future for Ohio.

» Click here to read the study's full report «
» Click here to read the study's Executive Summary «

[This study was funded by the Ohio Department of Agriculture.]

Click here to review the highlights of a data compilation of the local farm and food economy of Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan, compiled by Ken Meter.

Community Supported Agriculture

One way to buy fresh-from-the-farm produce is to join a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA). In this model, increasingly popular in recent years, members pay a set price, usually collected in early spring, for a weekly share of the season’s harvest. Risk is shared between the farmer and the members, so if a particular crop is unsuccessful due to bad weather conditions, the members may receive a small share or none of that particular crop. Farmers who run CSAs must plan ahead, and as one local farmer recently advised, "overplant and undersell." Most CSAs welcome members to visit the farm, and many sponsor special events throughout the season for members and their families.

Here are a few CSAs currently operating in Northwest Ohio:

Friendship Farms: http://www.nilssonslandscape.com/FriendshipFarms.html

Located near Waterville, organic practices; Standard Share $400, other plans available; pickups at the Farm Tuesday and Friday.

Reihm Farm: http://www.funacres.net/

Located near Tiffin; organic practices; most popular: $320 for split share, fruit shares available. Toledo pickup Tuesday at UT Clean and Alternative Energy Incubator 2600 Dorr.

Sage Organics: http://www.sageorganicsohio.com/content/5048

Located Genoa, Ohio; organic practices; Standard share $400, other plans available, eggs, chickens also available. Pickups Thursday Perrysburg Farmers Market, Friday on farm, Saturday Toledo Farmers Market.

Schooner Farms: http://www.schoonerberries.com/

located Weston Ohio; organic practices; standard share $450, other plans available; pickups on farm Tuesday or Saturday.

Seeds of Hope Farm: http://felc.sfctiffin.org/farm/community-supported-agriculture/

located near Tiffin; organic practices; offers working and non-working shares ranging from $545 (full, non-working) to $215 + 15 hours (half share); pickups in Perrysburg, Fremont, Port Clinton and Tiffin.

Shared Legacy Farms: http://www.sharedlegacyfarms.com/

located near Elmore; organic practices; half share $340, full $680, fruit shares also available; pickups Thursday in Perrysburg or Sylvania, Wednesday on farm.

Bersée & Utz Heirloom Farm: http://www.locallygrowngoodness.com

located near Waterville; organic practices; 419-262-2423.

This web site is provided by The UT Urban Affairs Center --- contact us about our work in the regional food system.