I've lived in Ohio most of my 41 years and had never heard of goetta before just now. Googling tells me it's mostly a Cincinnati thing, and that's the part of the state I've spent the least time in. I guess that explains why I've not seen it, but doesn't help me understand why it's a state food. Spaghetti chili from Cincinnati spread a lot more than goetta. We even used to have a Skyline Chili on Union Street in Athens!

Can't argue buckeyes though, that's a classic.