Logo
Description
The 30 Mile Meal is a local food branding and promotional campaign that aims to provide a shared identity for the many farmers, specialty and value-added food producers, retail markets, food events and independently-owned eateries and bars featuring locally sourced menus in the area. The campaign will enable these stakeholders to leverage the growth of dozens of farm stands, farmers markets, farm-to-school programs and local food and urban farming initiatives in the area to build a local food economy united under the 30 Mile Meal brand.
The 30 Mile Meal will increase the awareness and availability of local food, strengthen the bottom line for area food businesses and create a network between local growers and buyers. The effort is expected not only to spur economic development, but also to create tourist destinations based on local food by positioning regional and ethnic flavors as a centerpiece of tourism. Taken together, these elements are a strong step forward towards a comprehensive food-based economic redevelopment strategy.
The Lake to River region is centered around Youngstown, Ohio to cover Northeastern Ohio and Western Pennsylvania. The initiative celebrates local farmers and food producers, area businesses and organizations that support local food and bars and eateries offering local items on their menus. Explore a region with a growing emphasis on healthy, local food and a flourishing local foods economy, all of which can be found within a 30+ mile radius of Youngstown, Ohio!
Any food-related business is welcome to become a 30 Mile Meal partner: Small & Large Growers, Producers & Processors, Food Stands, Mobie Food Stands & Trucks, Restaurants, Caterers, Retail Markets, Farmers' Markets, CSAs, Food-Related & Ethnic Events, Culinary Institutes and Individuals as well as supporting organizations Trade Associations, Tourism & Business Associations, Bus Tour Companies, Health Care Organizations, Senior Centers/Meals on Wheels/Other, Governmental & Public Organizations, Nonprofits, Churches, Colleges & Schools.
Proposed Location
1221 Elm Street, Youngstown, Ohio 44505
Proposed Supply Chain Category
Marketing
Proposed Outputs
Visibility
Public - accessible to all site users
Value Proposition
<p>Benefits of Partnership:<br style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; " /><br style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; " />Mapping: Inclusion on an interactive, searchable map that residents and visitors can use to seek out local foods offered at restaurants, farmers markets, retail outlets and food events, locate other organizations sponsoring local food and find local farmers and producers in the region. Our mobile app is coming soon!<br style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; " /><br style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; " />Promotion & Publicity: The 30 Mile Meal will unite all community members involved in the local food movement under one brand advocating and promoting local foods. 30 Mile Meal partners will be featured on the 30MM website and in its various communications including blog posts, press releases and articles, email newsletters and Facebook posts. We will proudly cross-promote and support our partner’s events and accomplishments through our network!<br style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; " /><br style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; " />Special Events: The Lake to River region will host and promote a variety of events each year including, but not limited to, annual networking events, farm tours and workshops and Restaurant Week. The goal of these events is to increase visibility of our partners and create a strong network of local food advocates. We will also participate in, support and promote our partner’s own events. </p><p>This project will help promote local food, enhance local food businesses and strengthen the local economy. It will improve access to healthy, local foods and better the overall health of residents. It is a piece of a strong regional economic redevelopment strategy. </p>
Workload
<p>The main work that remains to be done is attracting markets for local foods such as restaurants and retail outlets to the campaign as well as raising awareness of the campaign among farmers and food producers. There will be one staff member committed to this. We are seeking out interns to assist with the project. We expect awareness to be raised to a decent level after the first year of the project. </p>
Mapping
<p>1. We need to find farmers and producers that will partner with us and supply their products to the markets we develop. They will also be key in cross-promotional efforts. </p><p>2. We need to find restaurants, retail outlets and other food-related businesses in the "buyer" category that are willing to partner with us and purchase local foods.</p>
Required Resources
<p>Other than ourselves, we have several partners ranging from farmers, CSAs and producers to restaurants and tourism bureaus. All of our partners have knowledge of and large networks in the agricultural, business and government arenas. We need people/businesses/organizations to help us promote this campaign and get the word out. </p>
|
7668
Business Case |
