Local Food Economy

Food desert: Central residents long for a grocery store as negotiations drag on
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?
Growing season: Spice Field Kitchen uses summer plants to teach kids about local food
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.
Block party: Coventry Road to close for Juneteenth celebration
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.
Growing roots: Gateway 105 Farmers’ Market returns to Glenville, in a new home and location
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.
Perfect pairings: Good Company joins Buildings & Food Hospitality Group
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.
Answering the call for help: EDWINS founder travels to Poland to cook for Ukrainian refugees
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.
The Metro45 Café Food Truck: A social enterprise on wheels
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.  
Juneberry Table opens today in Ohio City, serving Southern Ohio, Appalachian home cooking
Chef Karen Small's Juneberry Table opens today, offering Southern Ohio and Appalachian breakfast and lunch comfort food that stems from Small's gardening and whole foods roots. 
Dinner bell: Cleveland Independents Restaurant Week serves up three-course deals at 33 eateries
March has arrived and, in Cleveland, that means it's time for Cleveland Independents' Cleveland Restaurant Week, with three-course meals offered at local eateries for just $36. 
Lucky 13: Brite Winter returns to live entertainment this weekend
Brite Winter, the annual arts and music festival. returns to live programming this Saturday with a chance to cure the winter blues and celebrate the event's 13th year of bringing low-cost and accessible events to the city.
Now we’re cooking: Chefs Jill Davis and Karen Small embark on a new joint culinary concept
Two well-known Cleveland chefs and restaurant owners—Karen Small of the Flying Fig and Jill Davis of Toast—are embarking on a new culinary project together.
Celebrating 50 years of rocking the falafel on Coventry
Crowds came out to Coventry Road in Cleveland Heights last Friday to wish Tommy's  owner Tommy Fello a happy 50th anniversary of the iconic restaurant.
#CLEative Groove: Meet Susan Chapo, founder of Relish Cleveland Tours
Welcome to #CLEative Groove, a new series featuring profile Q&As with our city’s creative makers and shakers! Read on for our first installment with Susan Chapo, founder of Relish Cleveland food tours.
Cool beans: Cafilia keeps it local by serving up coffee subscriptions
Aleksandra Brankov is all about supporting local business, and she loves her Northeast Ohio coffee shops and cafes. So, she developed her subscription-based coffee company, Cafilia, so customers can bring in their reusable travel mugs and get their locally-brewed cups of joe with no cash involved. 
Light it up: LakewoodAlive to spread holiday cheer at 15th annual lighting event, seasonal festival
After going virtual last year, LakewoodAlive is bringing back Light Up Lakewood this week to celebrate the season with its annual street festival.
Beyond the grave: Griffin Cider House & Gin Bar brings history to (after)life in Lakewood
Often occupying century buildings or sharing historic spaces, spooky ghost stories are on the menu at many Cleveland establishments—and the Griffin Cider House & Gin Bar is no exception.
Give me some sugar: Vegan chef and local artist team up to present BRWN SGR Brunch
Vegan chef Chaundrea Simmons and artist Tai Gomez-Curtain are teaming up this weekend to bring an afternoon of food, visual art, and socializing at Current in 78th Street Studios. 
Farmers markets, nutrition assistance programs serve as oases in Cleveland's food deserts
Many Northeast Ohio farmers’ markets not only stayed open last year during the COVID-19 pandemic, but also expanded access to Produce Perks, EBT and other nutrition assistance programs. Their aim is to help those in need while gaining customers at the same time.
Get out! Haunted House Restaurant offers good food, a thrilling experience for the family
The Haunted House Restaurant, which pays homage to the classic horror and thriller movies, is now open in Cleveland Heights.
HELP is planting the seed for a hydroponic greenhouse in downtown Euclid
Euclid's HELP Harvest Greenhouse will teach life and employment skills by providing both paid employment and on-the-job training in growing hydroponic crops and fresh produce.