Local Food Economy
photo Bob Perkoski
Cleveland has a remarkable restaurant scene, one that consistently surprises visitors from so-called "larger markets." There is no denying that access to quality ingredients deserves much of the credit. Long before the farm-to-table trend swept across the national landscape, Cleveland chefs were buying and preparing bushels of locally produced foodstuffs. But farms no longer are reserved for the countryside; urban farms are invading the city at record pace, transforming craggy patches into lush, productive plots. All of these features foster a thriving local foods economy that ranges from farm stands and food trucks to coffee shops and culinary incubators.
After three sellouts last year of their Cleveland Glögg at the Rustic Grill at StoneWater, Lindsey, Kathryn, and Whitney Neidus decided to bring the warm spiced holiday cocktail back this year—launching with a free tasting event at the grill.
For more than 20 years now, Demetrios “Jimmy” Anagnostos has been slinging hash at his Diner on 55th —a breakfast and lunch staple in the St. Clair Superior neighborhood.
Northeast Ohio resident Dana Harary and her cofounders of SoCo Tahini are fighting hate and antisemitism by committing 30% of their sales to the ADL when customers buy three jars this month through the SoCo website.
Shaker Heights resident Sahithya Wintrich recently found herself craving the savory Indian-spiced breakfasts she grew up with in Southern India. So, she launched Chutni Punch—a line of three finishing spice blends that will please any palette or heat tolerance.
For more than a dozen years, Jan Ridgeway has dedicated her time, and her own money, to Garden Valley Neighborhood House to feed and provide services to the residents living in one of Cleveland's poorest neighborhoods.
The Greater Cleveland Food Bank yesterday opened the doors to its new 197,00-square-foot Partner Distribution Hub—the first step in the Food Bank’s long-term plan to serve more people in its coverage area and make sure those in need have a full range of services.
Cleveland Restaurant Week kicked off yesterday, and 35 Northeast Ohio restaurants are offering prix fixe three-course meals for just $36 through Saturday, Nov. 12.
After hosting just a small, outdoor celebration for the Capitol Theatre's 100th birthday last year, Northwest Neighborhoods is pulling out all the stops for an official Capitol Centennial Celebration this weekend.
After the success of its Cleveland Glögg last holiday season, StoneWater Rustic Grill has now come out with a seasonal cocktail to celebrate the fall season—Cleveland Spiked Apple Cider.
There are many efforts are underway at farms, community gardens, markets, social service organizations, and public agencies to nourish communities like Cleveland—the nation’s poorest big city—where food deserts are common and healthy foods are not the cheapest, most affordable, or most accessible options.
The annual Taste of the Browns benefit for the Greater Cleveland Food Bank in September returns to FirstEnergy Stadium, with every dollar raised going toward ending hunger in Northeast Ohio.
Dana Harary always searched for the tahini she loved when she came from Israel to Cleveland visit her mother. Now living in Northeast Ohio, she and her partners founded SoCo Tahini—with flavors so good, even chef Doug Katz uses it at Zhug.
Cleveland Masterworks: In the early 1900s Otto and Elma Poschke made their mark in Cleveland running a refreshment stand at Edgewater Park. That stand evolved into a restaurant that would eventually become Don's Lighthouse Inn—still a hotspot today in the Edgewater neighborhood.
Many Cleveland neighborhoods—almost 60% according to one estimate—are not in close proximity to a grocery store, effectively stranding people access to fresh and healthy food. The Central neighborhood is no different. What’s being done about it?
Ben and Jackie Bebenroth's 13-acre farm Spice Acres is home this summer to the Local Lessons for Growing Minds program—a hands-on approach to teach students about local food systems and how to make healthy food choices while they witness the summer crops grow.
Officials are shutting down Coventry Road to auto traffic this Sunday to make way for a huge family-friendly Juneteenth celebration with live music, arts, food, and shopping.
After 10 years of operating out of tents on a lot on East 105th Street and Ashbury Avenue, The Famicos Foundation is now running The Gateway 105 Farmers' Market in a new enclosed building down the street in Glenville.
Buildings & Food Hospitality Group's Will Hollingsworth has brought Brett Sawyer's Good Company restaurant under the umbrella of companies that also includes Hollingsworth's Prosperity Social Club and the Spotted Owl locations.
EDWINS founder Brandon Chrostowski recently returned from Poland, near the Ukrainian border, working with World Central Kitchen to feed hundreds of refugees. He shared his emotional experience with FreshWater's Evan Gallagher.
With a mission of serving those who are experiencing homelessness or struggling with employment, Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry's Metro45 Food Truck is hitting the streets again this summer.