Chili contest benefits agriculture ministry

NORTH LIMA — The spicy aroma of cooking chili filled the Common Ground Church Community building here.

It came from the efforts of nine area cooks who were vying for first place in the chili cook-off to benefit Goodness Grows.

“This is the first [time] many of them have done a competitive chili event,” said Greg Bowman, Goodness Grows executive director. “And they all came with a bit of trepidation, but they’re all happy to be here.”

Goodness Grows is an outreach ministry of Common Grounds Church. Funds raised at today’s event will help with agricultural training, opportunities for new farmers in the area and ensuring that locally grown food reaches a market.

Kathryn Hatch, who operates the Zaney Pearl organic farm in Leetonia, made a meatless chili for the event, using food from her farm.

It’s a challenge competing against the meat chilis, she said.

“I like to top it with avocado and lime zest because once you get all those flavors together, you forget that you’re supposed to be eating meat,” she said. “At least that’s what I’ve been told.”

For the complete story, read Sunday's Vindicator and Vindy.com