News from Appalachian Center for Economic Networks

Appalachian Center For Economic Networks

Spring Greetings! Our March calendar is full of workshops and events. We hope you are ready to spring into action with us!

Job Opportunity:

Food Access Partners Seek Coordinator

As demand for local food that is healthy and accessible grows throughout southeastern Ohio, food hubs and distribution networks are emerging to ensure better food choices for all. In Southeast Ohio, food hubs and distribution networks range from established organizations- such as the ACEnet Food Ventures Center, ACEnet's Nelsonville Food Hub, the Community Food Initiatives-Donation Station- to wholesale community markets-like Rural Action's Chesterhill Produce Auction and Rural Action's Country Fresh Stops.

Through generous support from the Osteopathic Heritage Foundation, three organizations: ACEnet, Community Food Initiatives and Rural Action are implementing a dynamic new project that will accelerate healthy, local food access to underserved communities in Appalachia Ohio. The Food Access Network partners are announcing a new job position to expand healthy food access to schools, rural food deserts and emergency food networks.

The Food Partners Access Coordinator will build upon current distribution infrastructure, partnerships and ongoing programs in a directed way so as to maximize positive outcomes for all stakeholders from farmer, to producer to consumer. The Food Partners Access Coordinator will manage the collaborative work plan, bring stakeholders together, undertake planning, research, and fundraising for program strategies, and assist with the management of the food hub systems. The coordinated distribution networks include the Nelsonville Food Hub, the CFI Donation Station, Farm to School initiatives with Hocking College, local k-12 schools, the Food Ventures Center, the Chesterhill Produce Auction and Country Fresh Stops retail partners Athens, Morgan, Perry, and Vinton counties.

The Food Partners Access Coordinator application and interview process is coordinated by ACEnet, Community Food Initiatives, and Rural Action members of the leadership team. The new position will be housed at the ACEnet operated Nelsonville Food Hub as a staff employee of ACEnet, while being responsible to a management team of the three organizations. Salary will be commensurate with food system and management experience. To receive a full job posting timeline and job description, please contact Leslie Schaller at leslies@acenetworks.org. Letters of inquiry and resumes can be submitted by March 16, 2015 for interview consideration.

Put the Wine in the Sauce:

Athens Messenger's Product of the Month

This march, the Athens Messenger featured Vino De Milo's Creamy Vodka Parmesan Sauce as the 30th Anniversary Product of the Month. The Vino de Milo story started from owner Johnathan Leal's love of cooking. This love evolved from a hobby, into a catering business. It was then that people began to remark about the quality of Johnathan's sauces. "You should bottle this and sell it!" people told him.

Today Johnathan's business, Vino de Milo, produces 45 products including salad dressings, bruschetta sauces, salsas, and jams. These products are sold in several stores locally, and are also available across the nation as well as internationally.

Click to read the Athens Messenger's full story on Vino de Milo.

New Client Feature: Ed's BBQ Sauce

Ed Helvey, who ran his first batch of Ed's BBQ Sauce in February, is ACEnet's newest Barbeque sauce producer!

In 2008, Ed retired from the Ohio Education Association and began a law practice out of his home. He represents unions around the country and also served as Special Counsel to the Ohio Attorney General.

Ed got started cooking after becoming a regular Food Network viewer. " While I work, I always have the TV on as backgrou nd noise and it was usually a cable news network. However, after hearing the same stories several times, I started tuning into the Food Network. That started me cooking. After all, the kitchen was right there and I had time," Ed Said.

The son of Ed's college roommate was a competitor on BBQ Pitmasters. "To this date," said Ed, "I think they are the only team who were not professionals, they were school teachers. Tyler inspired me to get into BBQ."

Ed started smoking meats and researching different rubs and sauces. Representing a union in Kansas provided opportunities to try different BBQ joints during his visits. As his interest in BBQ deepened, Ed took a BBQ tour of North and South Carolina to experience vinegar and mustard based sauces.

Ed said that f inding the right name for his sauce was easy, "Ed's BBQ Sauce. Not only was the trade name available in Ohio, but EdsBBQSauce.com and EdsBBQSauces.com were available, so I bought them."

Ed's food business history is very short, his venture into BBQ sauce marks its beginning. " Seriously, this is the craziest thing I have ever done. Other than having a small law firm, I have never been an entrepreneur. I have always worked for the government, a corporation, or a non-profit organization. The closest I have ever come in the food business is running the cash register at a Burger Chef. They didn't trust me to cook."

ACEnet is excited to welcome Ed into our kitchen and watch his product take off. The next step for Ed is a summer food truck tour. " Two of my biggest fans are Eric and Torria Johnson, who own Worldwide Catering . We will be partnering this summer as they take their food truck to

many festivals in Central Ohio. They are featuring Ed's BBQ Sauce in all of their promotional materials and through social media. The plan is if people like the sauce, I can sell them a jar right then and there!"

Be on the lookout for Ed's BBQ sauce coming soon to a festival near you!

Wish of the Month

ARY Vac Master VP 545 Floor Model Chamber Vacuum Packaging Machine

Recommended for limited space commercial settings, this large capacity vacuum packaging machine facilitates the packaging of liquids and liquid-rich foods. It functions by sucking air out of the entire chamber as well as the bag itself creating equalized air pressure on the inside and outside of the bag to ensure a superior seal. The Vac Master comes with a gas flush system which is designed to remove the oxygen and replace it with a mixture of carbon dioxide and nitrogen for longer product life. It's ideal for packaging soft fruits, dried food, chips, pasta, and pre-cooked meals that that shouldn't be compressed.

Funding Cost- $2,119.00

Donations of any size are appreciated and tax deductible. To help us reach this month's goal, click the "Donate Now" button at the bottom of the newsletter.

FullBrooks Cafe:

A Nelsonville 30 Mile Meal Destination

FullBrooks Cafe, located on the square in Nelsonville, features menu items sourced from many of the Athens Farmers Market vendors. In December of 2013, former FullBrooks employees Jennifer Abbott and Dan Jones took ownership of the cafe. FullBrooks offers fair trade, organic coffee and espresso drinks as well as freshly baked goodies and high quality lunches.

During the winter months FullBrooks maintains their commitment to local sourcing with menu items featuring Snowville Creamery, bread from Jackie O's Bakeshop, beans and spelt berries from Shagbark Seed and Mill, root crops from Vest Berries, and greens from Green Edge Gardens. During the summer months their menu features an even wider array of products from vendors found lining the farmers market aisle.

The cafe is open Mon - Fri 7:30 am - 5:00 pm and Saturday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm making this the perfect spot for breakfast and a 30 Mile Meal lunch break on the Nelsonville Square.

Upcoming Events!

Marketing Local Food

March 9th 5:00-6:30 Somerset, Ohio

This spring ACEnet is partnering with Mayor Tom Johnson of Somerset, the Perry County Farmers Market Cooperative, the Muskingum County Business Incubator and Rural Action to provide a comprehensive selection of workshops and tours for food and farm entrepreneurs in Perry County. The March 9th workshop in the Perry County Food Systems series will focus on practices restaurants and stores can utilize for marketing local produce. For more information contact Tom Redfern.

Start It Up Nelsonville

March 13-15th

Two unique competitions make up the components of Start It Up Nelsonville: The first invites entrepreneurs to submit business ideas to compete for a $10,000 grand prize that can be used for the launch or expansion of a business in Nelsonville, Ohio. Contest participants will submit their ideas in the form of a business plan and a video. The top three finalists will be asked to pitch their ideas in front of a panel of seasoned judges. The second is a storytelling competition where area youth are invited to convey what they love about Nelsonville with a combined prize pool of $5,000. Submissions are being accepted for the business competition until March 15, 2015. For more information visit their web page.

Better Processing Control School

March 16-19 at The Ohio State University

This course is required for processors of low-acid or acidified foods. The Better Processing Control School satisfies the training requirements specified in both the FDA and USDA regulations designed to prevent public health problems in low-acid and acidified low-acid canned foods. All processors of these food products must operate with a certified supervisor on hand at all times during processing. Upon completion, the four-day course certifies supervisors of thermal processing systems, acidification, and container closure evaluation programs for low-acid and acidified canned foods.

Click for

more information and registration.

Good Agricultural Practices Training

March 17, from 1:00- 4:00

March 17 From 6:00-9:00

At the Muskingum County Business Incubator in Zanesville, OH

The Ohio State University Fruit and Vegetable Safety Team will be presenting two sessions on Good Agricultural Practices or 'GAPs' for Muskingum and surrounding counties to educate produce growers about on-farm produce safety. This event is sponsored by Rural Action. Click here t o register.

Season Extension Training

March 19, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm at The Grange Hall 17486 State Street Amesville, OH 45711

Description: The workshop will focus on methods used in the Season Creation model developed by Green Edge Organic Gardens. Their innovative use of high tunnel greenhouses and grow rooms ensures a year-round selection of seasonal vegetables, micro greens, and specialty mushrooms extending their growing season to include a fourth winter period. The workshop will include both on-farm and classroom portions and is taught by the farmers.

For more information and registration, contact Tom Redfern.

Social Media promotion of local food

March 21, 10:00am -12:00pm in Somerset, Ohio

This Perry County Food Systems workshop will focus on utilizing social media as a mechanism for promoting local food and local food events. As spring gets underway, join us to learn how to take advantage of free media platforms to promote your upcoming harvest and farmers markets. For more information contact Tom Redfern.

Selling at Farmers Markets

April 4, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm in Somerset, Ohio

This Perry County Food Systems workshop will focus on considerations and health department regulations related to selling at Farmers Markets. For more information contact Tom Redfern.

Reap Grant Information Sessions

March 5th and March 7th, from 3:30-5:30 at Third Sun Solar, 762 W. Union

Every year the USDA provides millions of dollars in Federal Grant money to assist small businesses and farmers become more energy efficient. The Green Pathways program of ACEnet and UpGrade Athens County can assist you in applying for these grant dollars, which can cover 25% of the project cost for your efficiency or renewable project. Want more information? Join ACEnet, Third Sun, and the Ohio USDA for an informative session. For more information contact Carol Davey-Sayre.