Ohio has long been a key player in the country's food manufacturing system. In fact, the state can trace its food roots as far back as 1850, when it ranked first in agricultural output. More than 170 years later, Ohio still maintains farms on about half of its land and has kept its status as a food hub, ranking third in the nation for food manufacturing.

It's no coincidence that the amount of food farmed in Ohio helped to catapult it into a food producing superstar, manufacturing more than $9.7 billion in goods annually. But the state couldn't maintain its status by farming alone. There are many other factors that position Ohio to best meet consumer demands for manufactured food goods, including its location, workforce, and research and development capabilities.

Location, Location, Location

The entire food manufacturing value chain can be found in Southeast Ohio — literally from farm to table. The state has successfully built a food manufacturing empire, boasting some of the largest facilities and a food manufacturing workforce that's 64% larger than the national average.

This workforce wouldn't be possible, however, without Ohio's amazing infrastructure that easily enables the import and export of food both within the states and around the world:

• Ohio boasts the fifth-largest interstate highway system in the nation and is easily connected to more than 60% of the United States and Canada within a one-day drive.
• Nearly 355 miles of Ohio river shoreline border the state, offering access to five major terminals on its Inland Waterway to aid in distribution.
• Rail service is still alive and strong in Ohio, servicing Norfolk Southern and CSX Transportation as well as other local and regional railroads.
• Seven commercial airports and 85 public use general aviation airports offer the ability to transport goods to the furthest reaches of the globe.

The Workforce

Ohio's long history of agriculture and agricultural programs and degrees offered at higher education institutions means that all levels of talent, from entry-level to management, are easily accessible and locally trained to help make food manufacturing successful.

It's no wonder Southeast Ohio has 64% more workers in food manufacturing than the national average: it’s home to 109 food manufacturing businesses, 6,200 industry workers, and many products manufactured in the region that are household names.

Research & Development

The third major factor that helps Ohio food manufacturing companies meet consumer demand lies within its research and development sectors. R&D plays a crucial part in the innovation, processing, and improving of food manufacturing and production.

Ohio's R&D partners, including large institutions like the Ohio State University's Food Science Department as well as in-house R&D facilities in plants such as Tyson, Kroger, Mennel, and others employ nearly 126,000 people statewide and perform 43% more R&D than the national average.*

In addition, Ohio food manufacturers are able to draw upon the state's diverse population for input on current and future brands and products through surveys, taste-tests, and other food-related studies in order to make the food better and keep up with changing environments and attitudes toward food.

Ohio: The Heart of Food Manufacturing

While a drive through Ohio easily reveals its farmland, its food manufacturing and innovation systems may seem more like a well-kept secret to those outside the industry.

However, Ohio's infrastructure, thriving workforce, and research and development capabilities will help to ensure the state remains the ideal home for a variety of food manufacturing industries — hopefully for another 170+ years!

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* Source: JobsOhio (https://www.jobsohio.com/news-press/study-ohios-food-industry-infrastructure-and-innovation)