DAYTON, Ohio — At a gathering of more than 1,100 farmers and local food advocates, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, received the Food and Farm Champion Award from the Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association. The announcement was made in Dayton on Feb. 16 as part of OEFFA’s 39th annual conference, A Taste for Change.
The award recognizes Sen. Brown’s commitment to sustainable agriculture and his leadership in making positive investments in local food systems, community economic development, and public health.
“Sen. Brown has consistently supported investments in local and regional food systems that contribute to farmer viability, create jobs, and improve public health,” said OEFFA’s Policy Program Coordinator Amalie Lipstreu, who presented the award. “Through his introduction of the Local Food and Regional Market Supply Act (S. 1947), we can fully develop the policies and programs that spur economic development in communities in Ohio and throughout the nation.”
“Local farmers feed Ohio families and grow Ohio’s economy. I’m proud to work with partners like OEFFA to help connect family farms with their communities, grow their bottom lines, and create jobs across our state. It’s an honor to receive the Food and Farm Champion award,” said Sen. Brown, who provided remarks to the conference’s 1,100 guests.
Ohio is home to 24 local food councils, a state food policy network, and a growing number of farm to institution programs, food hubs, and direct to consumer outlets. Sen. Brown’s farm bill advocacy efforts have supported more than 90 food system projects and resulted in more than $7 million dollars in investments in Ohio’s communities. For example, the Lake to River Food Cooperative established a food hub and a shared retail space, the Youngstown Online Market pick-up site, which helps farmers market their products through a shared online platform.
Sen. Brown serves on the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee, where he has been instrumental in strengthening the farm safety net and addressing childhood hunger.
“OEFFA is pleased to recognize Sen. Brown’s leadership and looks forward to continue working with him in the future,” said Lipstreu.
— Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association