Growhio is a non-profit Sustainable Cleveland 2019 initiative designed to strengthen and support all aspects of Northeast Ohio's local food economy through branding, marketing and collaboration.

10.27.2010

ODA Specialty Crop Grant - Video Production

Growhio's ODA Specialty Crop Grant (introduction article from our Autumn Newsletter follows, if you have not read it yet) covers the cost of a promotional video to promote the availability of specialty crops (fruits and vegetables) at the seven farmers' markets in the Cleveland Farmers' Market Guild (CFMG). Growhio issued an RFP to solicit videographers/producers, and received 13 proposals from a diverse range of talented proposers. After a lengthy and diligent review process, Growhio and the CFMG selected Hyndsight Productions as its videographer/producer.

Over the past month, Hyndsight Productions, led by Kelley Hynds, shot on-location interviews at Coit Road, Tremont, and Downtown Cleveland farmers' markets. Hyndsight also took b-roll film at the other four farmers' markets and the Ohio City Farm. Filming has wrapped. The next step is editing, followed by graphics and final touches. Check the pictures below and on our Flickr page!


Article:
In partnership with the Cleveland Farmers' Market Guild (CFMG), Growhio was awarded a $65,000 grant from the Ohio Department of Agriculture Specialty Crop Grant Program to promote the availability of Ohio Specialty Crops (OSCs) at these farmers' markets. The one year grant will cover a marketing campaign, educational program, and new vendor start-up program.

The marketing campaign includes development of promotional videos, postcards, newspaper and RTA bus advertising. The educational program will be planned in partnership with Ohio State University Extension-Cuyahoga County, and will include educational presentations by farmers' market managers at various events, such as block club meetings and other community gatherings, in their focus neighborhoods.

The new community vendor assistance program (CVAP), perhaps the most exciting part of the ODA grant, provides each of the seven farmers' markets with an incubator vendor set-up. Vendors of OSCs who might not have either the resources to rent their own vendor space, or the capacity to fill an entire space with product, can rent the incubator vendor space for free, as needed, and share the space with other start-up vendors. In addition, a going-to-market workshop will be given to first-time OSC vendors to assist them in getting started at one of the seven farmers' markets.

10.12.2010

Ohio City Harvest

On Sunday from 1-4, the Ohio City Farm hosted its first Harvest party, in which Growhio was fortunate to participate by having an educational tent.


Harvest was sponsored by Charter One, Cleveland Cuyahoga-County Food Policy Coalition and Local Food Cleveland. Guests were able to tour the farm, nosh on delicious ravioli provided by Ohio City Pasta, browse the educational tents of OSU Extension and others, and meet the farmers of Central Roots and other plots.


The Ohio City Farm is part of the Ohio City Collaborative designed to solidify Ohio City as the hub of Cleveland’s complete regional food system by developing a cluster of urban farming and food production businesses that will utilize the distribution and retail opportunities of the Ohio City Market District.


10.08.2010

Growhio.org Suggestions

At the launch party, we put up a large white roll of paper with the question, "What would you like to see on Growhio.org?" We set out a pile of markers and let guests write down their suggestions, which included, among others:
  • Video
  • Growhio certified gardens and farms
  • Community composting (for those who live in small spaces)
  • Grants for new businesses
  • Foodie dating
  • Opportunities for people to participate in outreach to schools
  • Ongoing opportunities for people to attend food demos, classes, dinners, etc.
  • List of cooks and eaters to learn tips from
  • How our region compares to other regions in local food production

We were exciting to see some ideas that we are already working on, as well as some new innovative ideas. What would you like to add? If you did not attend the launch or get a chance to write down your suggestion, we would love to hear it! Comment on this post or our FB page, or send us an email.

10.06.2010

Launch Party Well Attended

Growhio would like to thank all of those who came out on a cold and dreary day to support the launch of our new website! The event featured many local food treats served up by Karen Small from the Flying Fig (visit Fig TONIGHT for Local Foods Week Restaurant Night!), Giovanna Mingrone from The Cheese Shop, and Jeff & Michelle from Ohio City Burrito. A special thanks to GETCO for use of a very cool vacant space on W. 25th St. and to Harry Bacharach, who offered to sing at the party at the last minute, despite having to rush from our event to his previously scheduled gig. Thank you!

If you missed the event, you missed some good beer and conversation, information about Growhio memberships, merchandise sales, and a slideshow highlighting our new website's features. We can't offer the same experience again, but you can view the slideshow below and catch us Sunday at the Ohio City Harvest, where will be selling merchandise and memberships and sharing more information about Growhio.

launch party slideshow

If cider, farms, and donuts aren't your cup of tea, then check out our website from the comfort of your computer chair and send us your feedback. We look forward to continually improving and enhancing the website to meet your needs and the needs of future local food participants.