Akron-Canton Airport partnership with CFAES gives travelers a taste of northeast Ohio agriculture

For many travelers, airports are places to grab a quick snack before a flight. A new collaboration between Akron-Canton Airport and The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES), through its Northeast Ohio Ag Innovation Center (NEO-AIC), is bringing locally produced foods to travelers while opening a new way for regional farmers and food businesses to reach customers.

The idea of the partnership grew from an unexpected conversation last fall during a regional economic development meeting hosted on Ohio State’s CFAES Wooster campus. After stopping by the NEO-AIC display, an Akron-Canton Airport representative shared that the airport wanted to expand its selection of locally produced foods and connected the center with airport leadership. That conversation quickly evolved into an initiative that now brings northeast Ohio products to travelers, helping small and midsize farm businesses reach customers they might not otherwise reach.

“The goal of the NEO-AIC is to assist farmers with creating and gaining access to new markets,” said Shoshanah Inwood, CFAES professor of community, food and economic development and NEO-AIC director. “Farmers across Ohio produce amazing products but getting them into the marketplace can be challenging.”

For many of the farmers NEO-AIC serves, supplying a major grocery chain isn’t realistic because they don’t produce at that scale. The airport, however, offers a market that better fits their businesses.

“The airport is a perfect partner because many of the farmers we work with are small to medium-sized businesses,” Inwood said. “Their production may not be large enough to supply a major grocery chain, but a medium-sized airport creates a scale-appropriate partnership that benefits everyone.”

Since July, travelers have been able to purchase products from northeast Ohio food businesses in the airport’s concessions area. Offerings will includemilk from Paint Valley Farms, maple syrup and maple candies from Ogden Maple Farm, hot sauces from Let’s Grow Akron and Ol’ Dirty Sheetz, and mushroom beverages, kombucha, locally roasted snacks, and other products made by regional farmers and food entrepreneurs.

“We are building and strengthening relationships across our rural, urban and suburban communities so that people can understand and know where their food comes from, who produced it, and how farmland and agriculture contribute to communities across northeast Ohio.”

“Travel plays an important role in overall well-being, and airports have a unique opportunity to positively influence that experience,” said Lisa Dalpiaz, Akron-Canton Airport vice president of air service and business development.

“This partnership allows us to deepen our commitment to traveler and employee wellness while creating meaningful opportunities for local farmers, producers and small businesses to reach new customers.”

Working with Purplebrown Farm Store, which curates the airport’s local foods selection, NEO-AIC is creating QR codes and short videos that introduce travelers to the farmers, artisans and food businesses behind each product.

Local food and flowers on display at the Akron-Canton Airport. Photo courtesy Akron-Canton Airport.
Future plans include seasonal farmers markets and educational programs that connect travelers and airport employees with local agriculture.

“While farmers can grow their markets, this is not just an economic transaction,” Inwood said. “We are building and strengthening relationships across our rural, urban and suburban communities so that people can understand and know where their food comes from, who produced it, and how farmland and agriculture contribute to communities across northeast Ohio.”

For participating businesses, that visibility could open new opportunities.

“People flying into Ohio and out of Ohio will have access to products made in Ohio,” said Thomas Lodge, MidAm Mushrooms founder. “I think that will lead to a much greater customer base for us. We’re really looking forward to it.”

For Inwood, the initiative reflects Ohio State’s land-grant mission by connecting farmers with consumers and building lasting partnerships across the state.

“I hope people begin to recognize that agriculture is an important economic driver in northeast Ohio,” Inwood said. “This partnership helps strengthen relationships between our rural and urban communities while creating consistent market opportunities for local producers.”