WASHINGTON, DC – The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission, based in Columbus, OH received a 2010 Innovation Award from the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) Research Foundation for its Central Ohio Local Food System Assessment and Plan.

The region's first Central Ohio Local Food Assessment and Plan, the document, funded by the Columbus Foundation, is a snapshot of the region's current local-food production, processing, distribution and availability. It also identifies 31 barriers to expanding a regional food system.

"Of central Ohio's nearly 10,000 farms, about 160 are identified as focused on producing for local markets. As the growing interest in local food continues, that number will surely increase. But the report cites a need for an independent poultry processor in the region, additional meat processing, a facility to freeze fresh produce and centers to aggregate food from small farms so larger-scale distribution is possible," states Jerry Tinianow, director of MORPC's Center for Energy and Environment. "On the consumer end, the report cites a need to make fresh, healthful local food readily available to all. That means finding ways to get local food in stores located in urban and rural "food deserts"-areas that lack full-service stores with fresh meat and produce."

NADO is a Washington, DC-based association that promotes programs and policies that strengthen local governments, communities and economies through regional cooperation, program delivery and comprehensive strategies. The association's Innovation Awards program recognizes regional development organizations and partnering organizations for improving the economic and community competitiveness of our nation's regions and local communities. Award winners will be showcased during NADO's 2010 Annual Training Conference, to be held August 28-31 in San Diego, California.

"For more than 20 years, NADO's Innovation Award has provided regional development organizations throughout the nation a unique opportunity to showcase creative projects like Central Ohio Local Food System Assessment and Plan, which make it possible to advance the economic growth and sustainability of our nation's regions. This recognition brings to the forefront the important work of regional organizations and their critical role in promoting economic development for rural and small metropolitan communities," said NADO President Mike Norton, executive director of the Northwest Arkansas Economic Development District in Harrison, Arkansas.

For more information about the award-winning project, contact the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission at 614-233-4178 or visit the website morpc.org.