If you live in Knox County and you've been on Facebook lately, you've probably seen a group called Knox Foodies.

It began in September and has already attracted nearly 4,000 members. It's exactly what it sounds like – a place where local people can talk about local food.

But over the past six months, it's become more than that. It's become a forum where local food establishments can advertise new hours, specials and services. It's become a place where community members can talk about a new meal they tried, or a new restaurant they visited.

And perhaps most importantly, it's become a vehicle for bringing our community together – a virtual community dinner table, if you will, where people from all walks of life can bond over the topic of food.

This week, we spoke with the woman who made this group happen.

Ann Weisent is a Knox County native, and she talked about why she started the group; how it's grown so quickly; what kind of impact it's had on the local dining scene; and where it goes from here on this edition of Stories from the heart of Ohio.

Knox Pages/Knox Foodies collaborative restaurant list: Eating local during COVID-19: Here's who's open

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