Ohio Department of Agriculture

07/22/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 07/22/2025 16:01

Ohio Proud, Ohio Wines To Highlight Locally Made Products at Ohio State Fair

The Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) is showcasing Ohio-made foods, products, and wines at this year's Ohio State Fair. The Taste of Ohio Pavilion near the 11th Avenue entrance will house both the Taste of Ohio Wine & Beer Garden and the Ohio Proud General Store.

"When you choose locally grown and made products, you are supporting Ohio's family farms, rural communities, and small businesses," said ODA Director Brian Baldridge. "The Ohio State Fair is a great opportunity to celebrate and purchase homegrown goods that showcase the strength of Ohio agriculture. We encourage fairgoers to shop and taste local."

Thirty-two Ohio wines will be on-hand in the open-air, shaded pavilion at the Taste of Ohio Wine & Beer Garden, with ample seating and plenty of sightseeing. All wineries have earned a double gold medal in the 2025 Ohio Wine Competition and/or are a part of the Ohio Quality Wine (OQW) program recognizing wines made from Ohio-grown grapes.

Ohio is the seventh-largest wine producing state in the country, contributing more than $6 billion to the economy each year and creating more than 40,000 jobs. Ohio's 420+ licensed wine manufacturers account for more than 2 million visits annually.

"The Ohio State Fair Wine & Beer Garden offers visitors a unique and educational opportunity to experience many Ohio wines in one location, while also getting to engage one-on-one with the featured winemakers in attendance each day," said Executive Director of the Ohio Grape Industries Committee and ODA's Director of Marketing Christy Eckstein.

More than 100 different Ohio Proud items will be on display next to the Ohio Wine and Beer Garden in the Ohio Proud General Store. Ohioans can register to join the program if at least 50 percent of their item is grown, raised, or processed in the state. Having the Ohio Proud logo displayed on products gives businesses a way to stand out. Many grocery stores offer these products in the sought-after displays at the end of the aisle.

"Visiting the Ohio Proud General Store is a great way for fairgoers to learn about all the amazing food and agricultural products made in the state of Ohio," said Ohio Proud Program Administrator Ashley McDonald. "From freshly made cheese and chocolates to handcrafted body care products and your favorite summertime condiments, our local makers have something for everyone."

The Ohio Proud and Ohio Wines programs play a role in making food and agriculture Ohio's number one industry, contributing $124 billion each year and employing one in eight Ohioans.

Ohio Department of Agriculture published this content on July 22, 2025, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on July 22, 2025 at 22:01 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at support@pubt.io