Local food advocates in Licking County, Ohio are launching a new 30 Mile Meal project based on a successful initiative in Athens County. The 30 Mile Meal branding and marketing campaign will promote local foods, producers, processors and businesses. It aims to connect the varied agricultural enterprises in Licking County and increase consumption and production of locally produced foods. Meetings will be held on January 9th with local officials, producers, restaurants and community members to discuss strategies for implementing the 30 Mile Meal project and realizing its economic benefits for Licking County.

1. Local Food Advocates Launch 30 Mile Meal project
New effort will brand and build Licking County local foods economy
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACTS
January 7, 2013 Natalie Woodroofe, Athens 30 Mile Meal: 740-797-3080
Erin Harvey, The Kale Yard: 267-745-5261
Bryn Bird, Licking Local Foods Council: 740-404-1475
Jeremy King, Denison Sustainability: 740-587-680
NEWARK, Ohio—Licking County has a rich agricultural heritage and diverse array of producers and entrepreneurs
specializing in local food enterprises as varied as pick-your-own apples, vibrant farmers markets, local wineries and
breweries, fine restaurants and an historic mill.
Yet there is little to connect or promote these varied agricultural-based businesses, much less brand their “buy local”
Licking County credentials.
A new local initiative aims to change all of that.
The 30 Mile Meal project is an outgrowth of the Licking County Local Foods Council, a coalition of local producers,
buyers and consumer advocates that formed in 2010. The group seeks to replicate and expand the 30 Mile Meal project
which started in Athens County as a branding and marketing campaign to promote local foods and local businesses.
“We have found the 30 Mile Meal brand to be extremely successful in promoting local economic development and
improving the bottom line for local producers, processors, and businesses,” stated Natalie Woodroofe of the Athens 30
Mile Meal project. “We’ve also witnessed the development of new food-related businesses and jobs which is vital to
our local economy. We are eager to share what we’ve learned with Licking County.”
On January 9th, members of the Foods Council will host a series of meetings with local food producers and related
businesses, public officials and community members to discuss the economic potential of the 30 Mile Meal branding and
promotional effort. The meetings will feature leaders from the successful Athens 30 Mile Meal project who will share
information on the economic impact the effort has had in Athens County. The meetings will also include discussions to
explore strategies to increase the consumption and production of locally produced foods in Licking County. The January
9, 2013 meeting schedule is as follows:
9 a.m. Strategic meeting with county agencies and local officials at the Licking County Administration Building, 20 S.
Second Street, Newark.
12 noon. Meeting & roundtable discussion with local producers, restaurants & institutional buyers at Denison
University’s Huffman Dining Hall.
6:30 p.m. Community member informational & planning meeting at the Sparta Restaurant meeting space, 16 W. Main
Street, Newark.

2. “The 30 Mile Meal Project will provide a great umbrella identity for growers like myself to connect with a broader array
of potential buyers,” stated Erin Harvey of The Kale Yard, a small urban farm that sells produce primarily through the
Granville Farmers Market. “There is a lot of potential local buying power, but it requires a level of organization beyond
any one farmer or any one restaurant chef. The 30 Mile Meal will help create the type of local food infrastructure
needed to facilitate institutional and restaurant purchasing, plus further the goal of economic development in and
around Licking County.”
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The Licking County Local Food Council’s mission is to promote locally produced foods and agricultural systems that
benefit our health, our land, and our community.
The Athens 30 Mile Meal brand and project provides a shared identity for our many farmers, specialty food producers,
farmers and retail markets, food events, and independently-owned eateries and bars featuring locally sourced menus. All
create and nurture our 'garden of eatin.'