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New Ohio Proud website alerts consumers to in-state goods

By JANE HOUIN
Ohio Correspondent

REYNOLDSBURG, Ohio — Consumers looking for products made and grown in Ohio can now find them more easily at the Ohio Department of Agriculture’s new, interactive Ohio Proud website.
The new site, www.ohioproud.org, 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 in-store sampling at retail stores.

“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 new website also makes it easier for Ohio Proud partners to update their company information, to 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 consumers with 20 different producers of Ohio dairy products.

Or, selecting “Holmes County” will connect consumers with four different product manufacturers’ location in Holmes County, from those producing pasta to eggs to gourmet granola and Trail Bologna.

Ohio Proud is the department’s signature marketing program that promotes food and agricultural products made and grown in Ohio. Originally created in 1993, the program was relaunched in 2008 to meet changing consumer trends.

Ohio Proud companies support the state’s agricultural economy by employing more than 50,000 Ohioans throughout 71 counties.
The relaunch was triggered by research conducted by The Ohio State University that revealed the importance of the program to consumers and that the original marketing program was not on-target with changing consumer trends.

Of those polled, 90 percent said they were willing to spend up to 50 cents more for an Ohio product instead of a national brand, and 98 percent of those surveyed said they would rather purchase Ohio products than other brands. The study revealed that people want fresh, healthier products and to know that their purchases help provide jobs and support Ohio’s farmers and agribusinesses.
Ohio retailers like Heini’s Gourmet Market in Sugarcreek, Ohio are taking advantage of this consumer interest. “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 of the Ohio Proud partners.

Recent research showed that consumers did not relate the former Ohio Proud logo to agriculture and fresh, locally grown products.
“The state’s Ohio Proud program has been a great tool to educate consumers about the importance of buying local,” said Ohio Ag Director Robert Boggs. “After much research, planning and collaboration, the new program has been restructured and improved to fit current times and trends.”

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.
But Ohio produces more than just human food; being located at the eastern edge of the Cornbelt 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, Ohio is the largest sheep-producing state east of the Mississippi River, which gives consumers wool products. 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.

For more information about the Ohio Proud program, visit www.ohioproud.org or call the Ohio Proud office at 614-466-8798.

7/3/2008