Gathering food from nature—game, birds, fish, plants and fruits, such as honey, mushrooms, berries, greens—was a nutritional necessity for Native American peoples and early pioneers to northwest Ohio. Although it is no longer central to our diets, many people still do so today. This video introduces some of the foods that were gathered in the past as well as “harvested” today and explores what such gathering says about our relationship with the natural world.  

Click here watch Foods From Nature video.

Composting offers a hands-on experience of the food cycle. It demonstrates very literally how what we eat (or don't eat!) can go back into the soil to nourish plants that then feed us. It also shows how our foodways are also tied to our culture-- our notions of what is acceptable as food and how food should be treated.

This video follows a composting project at a local preschool- kindergarten in which children learn about the food system, concepts of foodways, nutrition and health, and local history through their daily composting activities.    

Click here to watch Composting and Culture video.

The Mexican-American population in northwest Ohio came here originally in the 1930s and 40s as migrant workers. Their foodways reflect that heritage and have also been stigmatized by discrimination. With changing tastes in mainstream America, their food is now gaining attention and respect. Several individuals have started small businesses producing Mexican food in this new environment.  

Click here watch Mexican-American Foodways video.

Many families in Northwest Ohio have Polish heritage, and food is an important part of that identity. Kielbasa (sausage), pierogi(dough with fillings), golabki (cabbage rolls), noodles and cabbage, and sauerkraut are only some of the foods that are still favorites and are oftentimes made at home. They can also be found at public festivities, such as the annual summer  Polish Festival on Lagrange Street in Toledo. This festival draws former and current residents back to a neighborhood settled by Polish immigrants in the late 1800s. Numerous food-related businesses thrived there, and some stilldo, offering food made from recipes dating back generations to the "Old Country." 

Click here to watch Polish-American Foodways video.

Farmers’ markets provide an outlet for small producers to sell their products. They can create local economic networks and also help strengthen communities. People use them as public social spaces where they can gather while doing necessary chores of shopping. CSA’s are farms that offer “shares” in their produce. Shareholders pay up front—giving the farm a guaranteed income—and then receive a weekly allotment of produce. The idea originated in Japan and is rapidly growing in the US, allowing small farmers to survive economically.

Click here to watch Farmer's Markets and CSA's video.

Homemade sauerkraut is a family tradition for many in northwest Ohio, reflecting the strong German heritage of the region. The tools for making it and the recipes are oftentimes family heirlooms. It is also a practical, economical, and nutritious way to preserve a hearty fall crop and provide food through the winter. Plus, it is a tasty ingredient in many traditional dishes.

Click here to watch Sauerkraut video.