Local Foods Week was launched as a way to shine a spotlight on the people and places behind Ohio’s food. For one week each year, communities across the state organized events that encouraged residents to eat local, meet their farmers, and support independent restaurants, markets, and food producers.
What Local Foods Week Celebrated
At its core, Local Foods Week was about connection — connecting:
- Residents with nearby farmers markets and farm stands
- Restaurants with local farms and producers
- Communities with organizations working on food access and education
- Shoppers with the stories behind the food on their tables
Events often included market tours, farm dinners, restaurant specials featuring Ohio-grown ingredients, cooking classes, panel discussions, and family-friendly activities that made it easy to choose local options for the week and beyond.
Why Eating Local Matters in Ohio
Choosing local food keeps more dollars in Ohio, supports small businesses, and helps preserve farmland and regional food traditions. It also reduces the distance food travels, which can mean fresher produce and a stronger, more resilient local food system.
Local Foods Week highlighted these benefits by giving residents simple, practical ways to shift a few meals, grocery trips, or nights out toward local options.
Where to Find Local Food Coverage Now
While the original Local Foods Week campaign has changed over time, the spirit behind it lives on in Ohio’s food scene. Today, that same focus on local restaurants, markets, and makers continues through The Dayton Report.
The Dayton Report’s Food & Dining section regularly features:
- Spotlights on locally owned restaurants and bars
- Coverage of food festivals and community events
- Profiles of farmers, chefs, and food entrepreneurs
- Guides to eating and drinking around Dayton and beyond
If you’re looking for current stories, events, and places to support Ohio’s local food movement, start here:
Visit The Dayton Report Food & Dining Section
This page is maintained as an archive to honor the original Local Foods Week initiative and the organizations and volunteers who helped it grow. For new events and updated coverage, please refer to The Dayton Report.