On Wednesday, state officials and policy experts addressed industry leaders at the OMA’s 2019 Ohio Food Manufacturers Policy Council — also known as “Food Day.” The well-attended event — chaired by Jennifer Sweeney, director – government affairs for Campbell Soup Company — featured key members of Gov. Mike DeWine’s cabinet. Providing executive branch insight were Directors Jack Marchbanks of the Ohio Department of Transportation; Dorothy Pelanda of the Ohio Department of Agriculture; and Laurie Stevenson of the Ohio EPA. The day was filled with expert analysis on several issues, including:

• Foreign trade and tariffs;
• Pending legislation in the Ohio Legislature;
• Lake Erie Bill of Rights and Ohio water regulations;
• Laws banning plastics and single-use packaging; and
• Economic development efforts to grow the food industry.

The production of food and beverages contributes nearly $13 billion annually to Ohio’s economy, making it the state’s third-largest manufacturing sector. Ohio has approximately 1,300 food manufacturers, which employ more than 61,100 Ohio residents. 6/4/2019