ACEnet Food Ventures tenant Taste Deaf Chef has teamed up with ACEnet’s Food Ventures Kitchen Manager (and worker/owner of Rhythm & Food) to create a very unique and local new flavor: Uncle Ronnie’s Paw Paw Hot Sauce! “Being our state fruit and an Appalachian favorite, we thought why not bottle up our very own paw paw sauce to bring a sweet & savory little bit of heat to your dishes.” Made with locally grown & processed paw paws from another ACEnet Food Ventures tenant, Integration Acres, you can pick up your own bottle at Kindred Market in Athens!

Pawpaw Pleasures: Integration Acres Frozen Pawpaw Pulp

Pictured (from left to right):

Taste Deaf Chef and Rhythm & Food

Uncle Ronnie's Paw Paw Hot Sauce

Many of you probably know that Casa Nueva Restaurant & Cantina stopped accepting tips in 2012. Since then, any money left behind by their customers is donated to a different local non-profit each month!

We're very excited to announce that they've has chosen ACEnet as the recipient of their tips for November!

Thank you, Casa, and thank you to all the tippers out there!

This list includes blessing boxes, food pantries, free meal programs, and other food relief resources available across Southeast Ohio. These organizations are here to help anyone facing food insecurity – no one should go hungry. If you know of additional food relief resources, or if you see an error below, please let us know at megganr@acenetworks.org

We’ve done our best to make sure this information is accurate, but hours and services can change; please call the listed phone numbers to confirm details before visiting, including whether Photo ID and Proof of Residence is required.

We would like to thank the Peoples Bank Foundation for supporting ACEnet as we work to grow the regional economy by supporting entrepreneurs and strengthening economic sectors!

The Peoples Bank Foundation was established in 2003 with the mission to improve the lives of community members by supporting important causes throughout our footprint in the areas of Community Investment & Economic Development, Youth & Education, Health & Human Services and Arts & Culture and Environment.

Since its inception, the Foundation has donated $8 million to local non-profit organizations!

Pictured (from left to right):

ACEnet Executive Director: Larry Fisher, and Peoples Bank Athens Branch Manager: Nathan Roush

ACEnet’s Holiday Open House returns Thursday December 4th, 5pm-8pm!

We’re transforming our Food Ventures Center into a festive marketplace! This family-friendly event is a great opportunity to enjoy some local food, wine, holiday karaoke, and local holiday shopping with many of our clients!

Some of the amazing local small businesses who will be there include: Afri-mArt, Aguas Artesanales El Maguey, Appalachian Herb Company, Community Food Initiatives, Elza Pearl Wildfarm, Eventful Catering, Fusion Wave, Goldenrod Gatherings, Hei Hei, Lone Wolf Lavender, and To-Go Packs.

We will also have live music, karaoke, and a cake walk raffle!

Please join us on December 4th for a festive evening of shopping, sampling, and socializing with ACEnet & our clients!

At ACEnet Food Ventures tenant, Elza Pearl Wildfarm, founder Derek Brown is not only growing herbs, he’s restoring generational connections, reviving Appalachian traditions, and building a regenerative forest-based business model with wide-reaching implications.

Built on the concept of “Whole Forest Products,” which integrates elements from the canopy to the understory, Derek's teas, tinctures, and wellness blends are freeze-dried, preserving potency while allowing natural sweeteners like maple and sycamore sap to shine without the degradation of traditional syrup processing.

“I only take what the forest can naturally replace in a year or less,” Derek emphasizes. “Conservation isn’t a trend for me, it’s a commitment.”

You can find Derek at the Athens Farmers Market on Saturdays, and be sure to visit our website to read his full story!

"Despite the termination of Center funding, we were fortunate enough to disperse our 1st round of Business Builder Subawards to farms and food business owners throughout Appalachia.

This funding was awarded to 56 businesses and totals $3.5 million.

We’re so excited to be able to finally announce this exciting news and to support these businesses through the award period.

We look forward to sharing their stories, successes, and how this funding will positively impact the regional food system for years to come."

11/13: Morgan County Lunch & Learn: Collaborating for a Stronger Morgan County

Come together with Morgan county leaders and professionals to explore county-specific development efforts and build relationships that support local economic growth.

• Date: 11/13/2025
• Time: 11am - 1pm
• Location: El Palenque, 205 W Main St, McConnelsville, OH 43756

11/17: Building Regional Identity for Small Business Success

Join us in Noble County for a dynamic and collaborative day focused on regional marketing, cooperative branding, and supporting local entrepreneurship. This interactive event will bring together community leaders, small business advocates, and entrepreneurs for insightful presentations, valuable networking, and panel discussions.

• Date: 11/17/2025
• Time: 10am - 2pm
• Location: Apex Event Center - 44519 Marietta Rd. Caldwell, OH

11/19: Let's Talk Business! Bank Ready: What Lenders Look for and How to Prepare: Lunch & Learn

Ever wonder what banks really look for in a loan application? This session breaks it down step by step. ACEnet’s MBAC program will walk you through building a strong business plan, while OUCU Financial shares insider tips on what makes a business “bank ready.” Walk away with a checklist you can use today!

• Date: 11/19/2025
• Time: 12pm - 1pm
• Location: Ohio University Innovation Center, 340 W State St. Athens, OH

11/21: Small Business Consultation Drop In Times

Stop by The Community Makerspace on Friday the 21st between 12pm & 2pm to talk to Cameron, our Business Counseling Specialist (and fellow entrepreneur) and get some information and tips on running your own small business.

• Date: 11/21/2025
• Time: 12pm - 2pm
• Location: The Community Makerspace - 751 W Union St, Athens, OH

Did you know that things like dirt, mold, leaves & pollen can trap moisture, which freezes and expands in winter, leading to cracks & stains?

ACEnet client, Matheny Power Washing, LLC has you covered, servicing up to a 90+ radius of Athens, Ohio!

Free estimates & fully insured, check them out before it gets too cold - 740-541-6824

Also, if you're looking for a snappy logo or door hanger for your business, ACEnet's Multimedia Designer Avery Snyder can help!

Check out the full list of multimedia services available to ACEnet clients: Multimedia Design Fees - ACEnet Clients

Join the global Hour of Code with hands-on coding fun for all ages!

This free event on December 7th, from 1pm - 4pm, is sponsored by WOUB Learning Lab, Ohio Valley Museum of Discovery, and Ascent Ecosystem, and takes place at the Athens Meigs Educational Service Center (AM:ESC).

The ASCENT Ecosystem is housed at Ohio University and represents Marietta College, Shawnee State University, Hocking College, Tri-County Career Center, Belmont College, Zane State College, Eastland-Fairfield Career and Technology Center, and MidEast Career and Technology Center.

ASCENT is seeking to help cultivate a skilled workforce for manufacturing and prepare educational pathways for semiconductor manufacturing as the Intel Corporation comes into Ohio.

Your support helps us provide 1-1 training and assistance to entrepreneurs, in all sectors, on a daily basis on everything from business planning & financial management to brand development and marketing. Your support also helps us provide our Food & Farm entrepreneurs with the space and equipment they need to grow their businesses.

You can support us when you shop at Kroger by participating in the Kroger Community Rewards program! By designating “ACE NET” (the space in the middle is necessary) as the recipient of your Community Rewards points, Kroger will contribute a portion of the proceeds to ACEnet.

More info & sign up here: https://www.kroger.com/i/community/community-rewards