COLUMBUS, Ohio – Underserved Ohioans will soon be connected with underrepresented farmers and producers.

What You Need To Know

  • The Ohio Department of Agriculture's CAN program aims to connect underserved producers with people in need

  • Farmers and producers within 400 miles of Columbus may apply

  • Interest producers may apply by submitting the Ohio CAN Producer Registration form

CAN stands for community, agriculture and nutrition.

"The idea here is to connect local farmers in the state of Ohio with the food banks who are serving all 88 of Ohio's counties. The Ohio Association of Foodbanks has a network of more than 3,600 member charities that take part in the 12 Feeding America Foodbanks across the state," Spectrum News 1 agriculture expert Andy Vance said.

Any farmer, rancher or producer whose products are grown within 400 miles of the City of Columbus is eligible for the program.

"But priority applications will be folks from those historically underrepresented groups, including women, people of color, members of the LGBTQ community, veterans, small farmers, beginning and disabled farmers, and also folks whose primary income may be derived from public assistance," Vance said.

According to the Ohio Department of Agriculture, fresh, frozen and canned produce as well as grains, eggs, dairy, meat, poultry, fish and legumes are eligible for sale.

“With Ohio’s strong food and agricultural base, it makes sense to better link our food producers with communities who need these necessities,” Ohio Department of Agriculture Director Dorothy Pelanda said in a release. “ODA is proud to be part of this collaboration to provide food to those in need from under-resourced regional producers.”

The department said it will prioritize people who identify as historically underrepresented. This includes women, BIPOC, LGBTQ+, veterans as well as small, beginner, and disabled farmers and those whose income is derived from a public assistance program.

“Ohio’s foodbanks are grateful to be participating in this innovative public-private partnership between USDA, the State of Ohio, local farmers, growers, producers, and vendors, and our hunger relief network,” said Lisa Hamler-Fugitt, the executive director of the Ohio Association of Foodbanks, in the release. “It comes at a critical time when more Ohio families are counting on us to help them put wholesome food on the table. We look forward to supplying hunger relief providers with more local foods to better meet nutritional needs in our communities while supporting Ohio agriculture.” 

Interest producers can apply by submitting the Ohio CAN Producer Registration form.