Local Food Economy

photo Bob Perkoskiphoto 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. 

Tremont is the place to be this weekend, with two popular events
Tremont will be hopping this weekend, thanks to Tremont West Development Corporation, with two of the neighborhood’s most popular events happening—Walkabout Tremont and Taste of Tremont.
'Huge win:' EDWINS leader passed over for Beard Award, but still counts his victories
EDWINS Leadership Restaurant and Institute founder Brandon Chrostowski may have been passed over for the James Beard Award for outstanding restauranteur, but he still sees the nomination as a "huge win" for his mission. And he had a blast in Chicago.
Free spirited: A tea house gives way to a dry bar in Ohio City
Verbena Shoppe, Café, and Dry Bar will take over the former Cleveland Tea Revival space in Ohio City this summer.
Tailgate year-round: Restaurant caters to Cleveland sports fans
The owners who brought the Haunted House Restaurant to Cleveland Heights in 2021 have just opened Tailgate Sports Bar & Grill with a Cleveland sports theme on the Cleveland State Campus.
Doubling down: Jill Vedaa and Jessica Parkinson adding two eateries to Salt+ family
Salt+ owners Jill Vedaa and Jessica Parkison always knew they wanted to open at least two additional restaurants. The right opportunities came back-to-back. In March they will open Poppy in Larchmere and in September open Evelyn in the Detroit Shoreway.
EDWINS founder spends birthday serving food in Ukraine, living in war, getting James Beard nod
EDWINS Leadership & Restaurant Institute founder Brandon Chrostowski celebrated his birthday this week by traveling to Ukraine, where he cooked and served food, delivered seeds, produce, and supplies, and learned he's been nominated for a James Beard Award.
Welcome to The Chefs Table: Local chef brings a nomadic flare to her inspired dishes
Chef Bri Welk sees good meals as a way to bring people together. After battling debilitating back injuries, the private chef now focuses on bringing small groups together for a gourmet dinner with the launch of The Chefs Table.
Skål! Back by popular demand, StoneWater reprises Cleveland Glögg for the holidays
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. 
Time tripping: Cruise back to the 1950s at The Diner on 55th
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.
SoCo Tahini and Anti-Defamation League partner to fight hate
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.
Packing a punch: Entrepreneur offers flavors of India with line of finishing spices
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. 
Guiding light: Jan Ridgeway has spent years, her own money, on aiding CLE's most needy
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. 
Greater Cleveland Food Bank completes first phase of its expansion plan
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. 
Get your grub on: Cleveland Restaurant Week is underway
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.
Capitol centennial celebration, take two: Capitol Theatre will celebrate 101 years this weekend
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. 
A hard fall: StoneWater Rustic Grill creates new cocktail, Cleveland Spiked Apple Cider
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.
Food Justice: Many Clevelanders struggle for healthy, affordable food
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. 
Taste of the Browns returns to benefit Greater Cleveland Food Bank
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.
Delicious traditions: SoCo Tahini brings bold flavors to CLE
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.
Don’s Lighthouse: The North Coast legacy created by a German immigrant and entrepreneur
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.