Grow ohio valley INC.will strengthen the local food system within the ohio valley aiming to improve the health and economic vitality of the community by expanding and enhancing the public market a…

Grow ohio valley INC.will strengthen the local food system within the ohio valley aiming to improve the health and economic vitality of the community by expanding and enhancing the public market a yearround farmers market and grocery store located in downtown wheeling west virginia. The project seeks to increase sales and visibility for local farmers and vendors to counteract challenges facing the region including a decline in local producers with over 22 of farmland lost in the past 5 years and limited access to fresh food for residents. Growov will implement targeted marketing campaigns to raise consumer awareness of the benefits of buying local hosting educational events to promote sustainable agriculture and collaborating with regional farms to expand sales channels. In aiming to increase annual sales for participating farmers and vendors by 1025 through more CSA memberships and public market sales local farmers ranchers processors and retailers will benefit as well as consumers gaining greater access to fresh locally sourced food. Growov will coordinate a distribution route for 25 to 30 regional farms providing access to multiple sales channels bolstering the economic sustainability of the food system and supporting the overall wellbeing of the community.