We often both lead and support efforts that make life better — even if those efforts aren’t directly related to providing electricity to our members.
As electric cooperatives, our main job obviously is to keep the lights on. We’re also dedicated to keeping our members informed about things like reliable service, affordable rates, and important rules that affect our business. We often talk about the benefits of being self-regulated, even though there are plenty of laws and regulations that also apply to us as we perform those important functions.
But our work isn’t just about electricity. Cooperative employees usually live and work in the communities they serve, and we care deeply about those communities. We often both lead and support efforts that make life better — even if those efforts aren’t directly related to providing electricity to our members.
Recently, a topic caught my attention that should matter to everyone: the new USDA food pyramid. In today’s world, it seems like new food trends and diet advice comes down the pike every single day. It can be confusing. But me? I like to keep things simple. I may not be a food expert or even a great cook, but I try to eat healthy. That’s why I was interested in the new dietary guidelines from the USDA. The updated food pyramid gives us a fresh look at what we should eat every day.
For years, nutritionists have questioned the old food pyramid; they thought the emphasis on grains led people to eat more processed snacks full of sugar and chemicals. At the same time, foods like meat, vegetables, nuts, and eggs were seen as less important. It was hard for people to know what was truly healthy. Simple advice like “eat real food, avoid processed products, and limit sugar” was missing from the official guidelines.
I bring this up because the electric cooperatives in Ohio and elsewhere serve mainly rural areas, and it seems that if more people were to eat real, whole foods, it would not only promote health everywhere, it would be a boon to the local farmers who grow crops and raise livestock. In rural areas like ours, farming is a big part of the economy — and when farmers do well, the whole community benefits. Supporting healthy eating can create a positive cycle: healthy people, strong farms, thriving towns.
In the end, focusing on simple, healthy food choices helps everyone. It’s good for our health, our farmers, and our communities. And that means it’s also good for Ohio’s electric cooperatives.
