The Ohio Department of Agriculture and The Kroger Co. marked Ohio Agriculture Month with the second annual supermarket showdown event to promote locally grown and made products, according to a March 10 announcement.
Local celebrity shoppers participated in a timed race at the Kroger Marketplace in Perrysburg, collecting as many Ohio Proud products as possible within four minutes. All items gathered during the event are being donated by Kroger’s Columbus Division to Tim’s Rescue Kitchen to help feed hungry neighbors. A total of $12,627 in food was collected, including $11,427 from the shopping challenge and $1,200 in pork products donated by the Ohio Pork Council. The winning team was The Kroger Co., which collected $2,119 in groceries.
“This event truly uplifts the importance of supporting local farmers and producers. Ohio’s agriculture communities work every day to bring quality food to our tables. Thank you to our partners at Kroger for playing a critical role providing fresh, quality food to our neighbors who need it most,” said ODA Director Brian Baldridge.
Ohio Proud products are available in nearly all grocery stores across Ohio as well as locally owned shops and farmers markets. The membership program through ODA highlights food and agricultural products that are at least 50% grown, raised, or processed in Ohio. According to Jon Young, President of Kroger’s Columbus Division: “As Ohio’s local grocery store, Kroger is proud to be part of the state’s largest industry, food and agriculture. Our associates work every day to serve our customers and feed our hungry neighbors and when we can partner with organizations like the Ohio Department of Agriculture and community leaders to do both, we are making a difference for all Ohioans.”
The department supports more than 77,000 farms and 129,000 agricultural producers across over 34 million acres of farmland; it contributes $7.8 billion in cash receipts from production agriculture while adding $132.5 billion annually to the state economy and supporting over 593,000 jobs,according to the official website. It also works statewide through inspectors ensuring compliance,according to the official website, bolsters rural economies by providing drought resources,according to the official website, recognized 10 Soil and Water Conservation Districts for their service amid drought conditions,according to the official website, safeguards residents by overseeing food supply safety,according to the official website.
During March, ODA encourages recognition of farmers, processors, businesses, and others involved in agriculture for their contributions during Ohio Agriculture Month.Video coverage is available from the organization’s press release.
