Local Food Gathering at Great Lakes

The monthly networking events sponsored by the Local Food Cleveland Network have snowballed, often attracting hundreds of Cleveland’s most forward-thinking and entrepreneurial people of all ages. This month’s outing takes place at Great Lakes Brewery’s tasting room. The action starts at 5:30 p.m. with time to mingle, have some food and drinks, and check out tables featuring goods and services from local businesses devoted to sustainability. That’s followed at 7:30 by a panel discussion featuring chef Ben Bebenroth of Spice of Life Catering, Community Greenhouse Project founder Tim Smith, Beth Knorr of the Countryside Conservancy, farmer Eric Walters, and food writer Marilou Suzsko. Topic of the day: expanding Northeast Ohio’s burgeoning local food economy into a year-round proposition. It’s free, and Great Lakes’ tasting room can be found at 2701 Carroll Ave. in Ohio City. Go to localfoodcleveland.org to register. — Pantsios