When you hear our state slogan: "Ohio, the Heart of It All," what comes to mind? Maybe it’s the myriad of attractions and events throughout the state: nine professional sports teams; three major cities; numerous amusement parks, museums, and zoos; our impressive brewery and restaurant scene; or our popular parks and historic attractions — all of which make Ohio worth a visit.

However, there's one key player you may not have considered: Ohio's food manufacturing heritage. This abundance of food manufacturing in Ohio is a boon for both the state's economy and its local communities, offering educational and career paths for thousands of workers .

Southeast Ohio: Home of the Entire Food Manufacturing in Ohio Value Chain

Food manufacturing in Ohio has a long, successful heritage, especially in the eastern and southern portions of the state . From growers to producers, processors to distributors, and retailers to consumers, the entire food manufacturing value chain is located right here in Southeast Ohio.

More than 1,300 players in the food manufacturing industry call Southeast Ohio home. Household names like General Mills, Purina, Kellogg's, Herr's, Kraft Heinz, and others have all recognized the value in putting down roots in Ohio.

Over the decades, these roots have grown and spread so deep and far throughout the OhioSE region that now our concentration of food processing workforce is 51% higher than the national average, no doubt thanks, in part, to the lower-than-average operating costs in the region.

Food Manufacturing Magic in the Making

Did you know Ohio’s manufacturing output is the 3rd largest of any state in the US? Or that food and beverage manufacturing represented 11% of that output, $11.8 billion, in 2023? How did Ohio become such a food manufacturing powerhouse?

Ohio's food manufacturing prowess stems from the many key regional assets it offers to food manufacturers: versatile infrastructure, abundant fresh water, and natural gas, and a competitive business climate offer companies the ability to obtain raw materials, produce goods, and deliver products to market with greater efficiency.

Ohio also has:

• Abundant transportation options: Four lane highways, multiple class-1 and short line railroads, and easy Ohio River access.
• Close proximity to other states: Southeast Ohio is a one-day drive to more than 60% of the United States and Canadian populations.
• Deep agrarian history and higher educational offerings: Ohio possesses all levels of talent, from entry-level workers to management-level executives, ready to help companies achieve success.
• Outstanding regulatory environment: Forbes Magazine (2024) recently rated Ohio’s Business Climate and Workforce 5th best in the country for starting a new business.
• Low cost of doing business: Taxes, wage rates, and utility costs are typically below national, regional and state averages.
• Bountiful crop production: Ohio ranks 1st in soft red wheat production, 7th in soybeans, and 10th in corn. Ohio produces roughly 24 million tons of grains each year, the majority of which are processed in-state*.

All of these factors and more contribute to support for local communities and economies as the lifecycle of food manufacturing in Ohio creates ample jobs for everyone from farmers to distributors and beyond, which is prepared to support the state's economy for generations to come.

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* Source: JobsOhio (https://www.jobsohio.com/en/blog/from-farm-to-consumer-breaking-down-ohios-food-value-chain) ), Lightcast 2024.3. Forbes Magazine