Bread or Barter
Ohio

Ohio businesses: trade what you have, get what you need.

From Ohio River towns and the Appalachian hills to the cities and farm country beyond, Ohio businesses build value every day. Bread or Barter works directly with Ohio businesses to put products, services, certificates and available capacity to work.

  • Ohio River and Appalachian Ohio
  • Businesses statewide welcome
  • Direct exchanges
Apply to Join See How It Works
Value Beyond Cash

What Ohio businesses bring to the table

Shops, fabricators, restaurants and family farms all hold value that can work harder for the business.

Manufacturers & Fabricators

Machining, fabrication, welding and production capacity.

Example: open shop time between production runs.

Restaurants & Diners

Dining certificates, catering and banquet rooms.

Example: dinner-for-two certificates from a local favorite.

Contractors & Trades

Roofing, HVAC, electrical, plumbing and remodeling.

Example: crew availability between larger jobs.

Farms & Farm Markets

Produce, meat, baked goods and market certificates.

Example: transferable farm-market certificates.

Automotive

Maintenance, tires, repairs and detailing.

Example: service certificates for open bay time.

Main Street Retail

Selected inventory and store certificates.

Example: seasonal merchandise from slower lines.

Examples illustrate the kinds of value that may be considered. They are not completed trades, and every offer is subject to review.

How It Works

Working directly with Bread or Barter in Ohio

Every arrangement is between your business and Bread or Barter, individually reviewed and voluntary.

  1. Tell us about your business

    Apply through our Join page.

  2. Share what you can offer

    Products, services, certificates, inventory or capacity.

  3. Explore opportunities

    We review your business and talk through what may fit.

  4. Agree on an arrangement

    We move forward only on terms we both accept.

Across Ohio

River towns, hill country and communities statewide

Ohio's communities are tied together by commuting, healthcare and shopping, and along the river, by daily trips into West Virginia and Pennsylvania.

Ohio River Communities

Shared with West Virginia and Pennsylvania

River towns from the eastern border down to the southern counties, where customers cross bridges every day for work and services.

  • Steubenville
  • Marietta
  • Gallipolis
  • Portsmouth

Value often found here: trades, retail, restaurants and service businesses serving both banks.

Appalachian Ohio

Southeastern hills and small towns

Small towns, college communities and outdoor destinations across the southeastern hills.

  • Athens
  • Zanesville
  • Cambridge

Value often found here: lodging, outfitters, restaurants and Main Street retail.

Elsewhere in Ohio

Cities, suburbs and farm country

From metro areas to rural crossroads, Ohio businesses statewide are welcome to apply.

Value often found here: manufacturers, contractors, farms and professional services.

Serving customers across the river? See our West Virginia and Pennsylvania pages too.

Community Recognition

A farm market, featured in a community promotion

Here's one way trade value can create recognition for an Ohio business.

Accepted trade value may sometimes support community promotions, social-media giveaways, approved fundraising and local business recognition.

  1. A family farm market provides transferable market certificates through an approved arrangement.
  2. A certificate is featured in an approved local community promotion.
  3. The promotion names the farm market and shares where to find it.

An illustration only. Not every arrangement includes promotional use, and promotional results are not guaranteed.

Straight Answers

Questions we hear

Do I need to be near the Ohio River to apply?

No. Businesses anywhere in Ohio are welcome to apply. The river communities and Appalachian Ohio are simply where much of our regional focus sits.

Can manufacturers and fabricators apply?

Yes. Available production capacity, machining and fabrication services can all be considered, subject to review.

My customers come from West Virginia too. Is that a problem?

Not at all. Many Ohio River businesses serve customers on both sides of the river. Tell us about your business and where your customers come from.

How is barter handled for taxes?

Barter is generally taxable at fair market value, just like a cash sale. Businesses remain responsible for their own tax and accounting obligations, and Bread or Barter may provide required reporting information where applicable.

Read all frequently asked questions

Ready to put your Ohio business's value to work?

Tell us about your business. We'll review your application and explore whether there's an arrangement that makes sense for both of us.

Apply to Join