COLUMBUS, Ohio—More Central Ohioans are looking to buy food from local farmers. The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) says they are working hard to make that happen in the years to come.
MORPC spent a year reaching out to 12 counties and gathering information for the regional food plan. The recommendations cover everything from increasing food processing capacity to showcasing local food in stores and restaurants.
It’s something businesses like The Greener Grocer in The North Market say is long overdue.
“One of the benefits of eating local foods is that it tastes better. If you have something from a local producer you’re supporting that farmer and his or her family,“ said Colleen Braumoeller, operations manager of The Greener Grocer.
A daily supply of fresh fruits, veggies and honey come to the store from more than 30 growers operating in Central Ohio. However, sometimes they must pad their supply with out of town produce when it’s not available locally.
“A lot of farmers cannot afford to have greenhouses. They can’t afford the infrastructure, they can’t afford to keep those greenhouses,“ Braumoeller explains.
MORPC addresses these issues in its food assessment plan. It calls for creating agricultural cooperatives for local food, extending growing season and preparing the next generation of food farmers. They
also want to increase local food processing capacity, such as canning, and storage. The food assessment plan also addresses business, policy and cultural issues for local growers.
To get a full look at plan go to www.morpc.org.
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