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The Center |
Staff
Members Membership RSS Feeds CIFT Video Library News Archive Contact Us |
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The Center |
Staff
Members Membership RSS Feeds CIFT Video Library News Archive Contact Us |
Special Programs...
Our City in a GardenOur City in a Garden is an urban, Toledo-based system to produce, prepare, distribute, process, and preserve healthy food products in the community, and to accomplish these ends in a manner that stresses environmental sustainability.
CIFT MembershipSince 1995, CIFT has organized and managed a membership-based consortium of food industry companies, their suppliers, and academic institutions. The goal of the consortium is to enhance the economic viability of Ohio's food and agricultural sector through technology.
Energy & Environmental ManagementEnergy and environmental management initiatives can improve the bottom line for businesses through cost reduction and alternative revenue pathways, essentially enhancing market competitiveness.
Food SafetyThis page covers food safety issues ranging from safety recalls and safe food handling practices to regulatory guidelines.
Local InitiativesCIFT Local Initiatives include the Farm to School Program, Local Food Manufacturers Program, Agritourism and the Farm to Chef Program.
NOCKThe Agricultural Incubator Foundation's Northwest Ohio Cooperative Kitchen (NOCK) is a nonprofit kitchen facility designed to assist entrepreneurial efforts and expand current food-related businesses by providing access to a commercially licensed kithchen.
Northwest Ohio Energy Crop CenterThe mission of the Northern Ohio Energy Crop Center is the identification and evaluation of opportunities to involve regional growers, processors and other entrepreneurs in biofuel production.
Northwest Ohio Green Products CenterThe Northwest Ohio Green Products Center is a collaborative effort among several partnering organizations to provide the resources, technical assistance and business expertise to regional entrepreneurs or established manufacturers who currently produce, or plan to produce, green or biobased products.
USDA-ARS Technology Transfer ProgramUSDA-ARS technology transfer provides a means for moving promising technologies discovered through federal and university research into the public arena where they are developed into marketable products. USDA-ARS accomplishes this by forming partnerships with universities and private sector businesses.
In the CIFT Spotlight...
CIFT 2008 Report to IndustryA report of CIFT's 2008 programs, projects and activities Hoop HousesA CIFT hoop house feasibility study that will determine what plants are appropriate to plant and when these plants will generate the greatest economic return. Ohio Federal Stimulus Bill WebsiteAn Ohio website where parties interested in federal stimulus dollars can submit ideas. Ohio MarketMakerAn interactive mapping system that locates businesses and markets of agricultural products in Ohio, providing an important link between producers and consumers. USDA Releases Beginning Farmers and Ranchers PublicationUSDA-ERS Economic Information Bulletin EIB-53 (32 pp, May 2009) draws on data from annual surveys and the Census of Agriculture to provide policymakers with a better understanding of beginning farmers and ranchers, including how they contribute to U.S. agricultural production. Vertical Hydroponic Growing SystemsA high density vertical growing system designed for non-traditional production locations. The system enables plants to grow in significantly smaller spaces and in varying ground covers from concrete to parking lots.CIFT Resources...
CIFT News ArchiveA repository of past CIFT news stories... CIFT RSS FeedsSubscribe to CIFT RSS feeds... CIFT Video LibraryA collection of CIFT event videos... Contact UsThe CIFT contact page with phone numbers, email addresses and directions... Privacy PolicyThe CIFT website privacy policy...Other Resources...
Current FDA RecallsThe Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has jurisdiction over recalls involving food and pet & farm animal feed. This page is a list of the latest FDA food recall notices. Current USDA RecallsThe Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) inspects and regulates meat, poultry products and eggs. This page is a list of the latest USDA food recall notices. FoodSafety.govFoodSafety.gov is your source for the latest news and information on food safety issues. Grants.govGrants.gov is your source to FIND and APPLY for federal government grants. Quick Reference Guide to Growth FinancingThis MEP guide provides information on general financing options, programs, and techniques available to small and medium-sized enterprises and companies pursuing growth oriented strategies.
Attention Nonprofits...
Click the appropriate link for more details.
CIFT Signs Landmark Agreement with USDA-ARS
The Center for Innovative Food Technology (CIFT) signed a historic agreement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS), establishing CIFT as one of only ten members of the USDA-ARS Agricultural Technology Innovation Partnership (ATIP) program. An official signing ceremony of the Partnership Intermediary Agreement (PIA) was held in Toledo on Aug. 16, 2010.
Following the ceremony, a CIFT-guided bus tour was held to transport guests to several sites across northwest Ohio. Nearly 20 guests had the opportunity to view first hand, several exciting projects including:
Vertical hydroponic growing system at the Toledo Seagate Food Bank
Grow Soxx demonstration, including lunch, at the Toledo Restaurant Training Center
Hoop house demonstration to promote year long production at Bittersweet Farms
Other projects including the future of the Keil Farm, Fernwood project and some soil testing sites in Toledo.
The PIA was signed by Richard J. Brenner, ARS assistant administrator for technology transfer, and CIFT president and CEO David Beck.
"This agreement will foster opportunities for businesses, communities and universities in the Midwest to collaborate with ARS scientists who are conducting world-class research at more than 100 locations nationwide," Brenner said. "By partnering with organizations like CIFT, we are developing efficient networks that will extend the reach and impact of ARS innovations that will ultimately benefit consumers."
"This agreement is an exciting milestone for CIFT," Beck said. "We are part of a select few who are joining forces with ARS to provide the many organizations with which we work easy access to the nation's premier agricultural scientists. This means that many patented technologies will be commercialized by our clients, creating job growth and enhancing our region's economy."
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CIFT President & CEO Dave Beck and Richard J. Brenner of USDA-ARS sign ATIP agreement |
The PIA provides CIFT's customers, members and businesses with easy access to the work and capabilities of more than 2,100 agricultural scientists throughout the nation – which in turn can greatly enhance economic development and global competitiveness.
This access provides significant, tangible benefits in two areas:
CIFT's status as an ATIP Associate creates connections between CIFT and hundreds of patented technologies in food processing, biobased materials and products, advanced growing techniques, agricultural chemicals and supplements, and many others. There are currently hundreds of technologies that have been developed and patented by ARS scientists which are available for licensing.
Another equally significant benefit will be realized by the large number of technology-based companies and research organizations with whom CIFT interacts, enabling these groups to become aware of technologies which are being developed at ARS labs that may be of interest to them. This involves CIFT client organizations in cooperative research efforts with ARS, leading to both a strengthening of the USDA programs, and the development of more technology-focused economic opportunities.
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Touring the vertical hydroponic growing system at the Toledo Seagate Food Bank |
In addition to these immediate benefits, this arrangement connects CIFT to some of the leading technology-based economic development groups in the country. CIFT, as an ATIP Associate in the ARS’ Midwest Area, will work in concert with the Wisconsin Security Research Consortium, Madison, WI, who is the ATIP Partner anchored to the Midwest Area. All members of ATIP are in the process of developing and signing a formal memorandum of understanding that will establish a clear working relationship among all ATIP partners, and that will provide a model for future national collaborations. All of these items represent exciting opportunities for CIFT to continue to provide meaningful, important benefits to its customers, and expand the breadth of services provided to industry partners.
"By working with CIFT, a systematic approach to commercialization of technology can be developed that will enhance the overall benefits to the Midwest,” stated Jack Heinemann, director, Wisconsin Security Research Consortium. “I look forward to this partnership establishing a strong regional connection to resources which will enable the agricultural industry to excel across boarders."
Each partner will work primarily with ARS laboratories located in their respective regions of the country, but will have access to scientists and technologies throughout the network, as well as to commercialization partners throughout the nation. CIFT will work initially with scientists located within the eight-state region of the ARS Midwest Area.
The members in the national ATIP network are:
Ben Franklin Technology Development Authority (PA)
Mississippi Technology Alliance
National Association of Seed and Venture Funds (PA)
Kansas Bioscience Authority
California Association for Local Economic Development
Wisconsin Security Research Consortium
Maryland Technology Development Corporation
Georgia Research Alliance
CIFT
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Touring the hoop house at Bittersweet Farms |
As part of its agreement, CIFT will sponsor technology showcases throughout Ohio, and will identify research and commercialization partners within its network of companies and organizations. CIFT will identify project opportunities in the areas of functional foods and ingredients, biobased products, biofuels, and sustainable agriculture. The sustainable agriculture area will include the emerging area of urban agriculture (local and regional food production), where CIFT will work with ARS to develop programs of mutual interest to provide support in this relatively new area.
ARS is a leader in the federal government in transferring and marketing new technologies developed from its research, and has formed numerous partnerships using cooperative agreements. More information about opportunities for licensing ARS technologies is available on the ARS-OTT website at: http://www.ars.usda.gov/Business/Business.htm.
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The Sweet Life in Northwest Ohio
CIFT presents a a guide to northwest Ohio candy makers and coffee roasters. View and download your guide here. |
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CIFT and ARS Partnering for Economic Growth From field to table, the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) is the USDA's chief scientific research agency, helping find solutions to agricultural problems affecting Americans every day. As one of the world's premiere scientific research organizations, ARS works on a $1.1 billion annual budget to ensure high-quality, safe food, and other agricultural products which sustain a competitive agricultural economy. On March 12, 2010 CIFT partnered with ARS, to host an emerging technology showcase at the Hilton Toledo/Dana Conference Center in Toledo, Ohio. The event gave attendees the opportunity to learn about advanced technologies that could potentially benefit their businesses and provide economic and job growth within the region. Emerging Technology Showcase: Partnering for Economic Growth within Food and Agriculture featured ARS technologies and projects that provide commercialization opportunities for environmental, energy and food-related businesses. ARS researchers briefed the audience on emerging technologies for biobased products, biofuels, sustainable agricultural practices, food safety/nutrition and functional food development. Notable presentations from the event are included in the links below. If your business is seeking new technologies for commercialization, ARS technologies are worth your consideration. To find out how ARS technology transfer can help your company achieve its commercialization goals, please contact CIFT for more information. The USDA Agricultural Service...
ARS Research Activities in Ohio...
Additional ARS Resourses on the CIFT website...
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CIRMS 2010
On October 18 - 20, 2010, the 19th Annual Meeting of the Council on Ionizing Radiation Measurements and Standards will focus on the uses, availability, and options for ionizing radiation sources. For the past nineteen years, CIRMS has played an important role in serving as a public forum for discussion of radiation measurements and standards for industry, academia and government.
The technical program this year will consist of oral and poster presentations and three parallel working groups that address measurement and standards needs in medical applications, radiation protection and industrial applications and material effects.
For more information, please view the CIRMS 2010 brochure.
Winners Announced for Innovative Food Products
CIFT and the Ohio Department of Development (ODOD) have announced the award recipients of the Functional Food and Ingredient Development (FFID) fund. Functional foods are foods and food components that provide a health benefit beyond basic nutrition. The following recipients will share in a $125,000 fund to support the development and commercialization of innovative Ohio products, and to enhance the economic performance of the agri-food sector:
AlgiSys – for partnering with 3i to develop a liposome nano-encapsulation of omega-3 algae oil for food and beverage applications.
American Dairy Association (Mideast) – for creating a more nutritious probiotic yogurt.
Around the World Gourmet – for developing a double functional gluten-free, casein-free bread for those with a special diet.
Ohio State University – for developing a prebiotic chocolate bar which reduces the absorption rate of cholesterol, and increases absorption rates of calcium and other beneficial substances.
Sensus – for partnering with Wyandot, Inc. (a snack manufacturer in Marion, Ohio) to develop a high-antioxidant/high-anthocyanin, nutritious purple corn snack food for the benefit of Ohio farmers, processors and consumers.
"The Ohio Department of Development technology division embraces new techniques and development efforts – and the Center for Innovative Food Technology exemplifies this through food and agricultural efforts," John Griffin, director of technology division, ODOD, said. "It is an honor to present these five companies with assistance to carry their concepts forward and enhance the food industry in Ohio, as well as provide consumers with nutritious products."
The winners were announced at Emerging Technology Showcase: Partnering for Economic Growth within Food and Agriculture - an event hosted by CIFT and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service on Mar. 12 at the Hilton Toledo. The event featured technologies and projects of researchers with the goal of providing opportunities for commercialization for environmental, energy and food-related businesses.
Since 1995, the Center for Innovative Food Technology (CIFT) at EISC, Inc. has provided technical solutions to companies involved in some of Ohio's largest and most economically significant industries: food production, processing, and packaging. CIFT's mission is to help members of the agribusiness sector improve their competitive position through the development and adaptation of emerging technologies, industry best practices, and novel business approaches.
The Center's staff of business advisors and food scientists have worked with hundreds of food processors, industry equipment manufacturers and suppliers, university researchers and government agencies on industry-driven projects throughout the state of Ohio and the nation. The topics addressed by these projects include food safety and quality, new product and package development, manufacturing productivity, evaluation of novel processing technologies, sensory evaluation, custom equipment design, small business development, and training.
In 2004, CIFT launched the Rural Income Enhancement Program with the mission to identify, evaluate, demonstrate, and promote growth opportunities for growers, processors, distributors, and marketers of agricultural products. Major program initiatives include development of direct marketing programs; identification, evaluation, and promotion of specialty crops; the greenhouse and bedding plant project; an expanded small business program; and renewable energy solutions.
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CIFT, 5555 Airport Highway,
Ste 100, Toledo, Ohio 43615-7320
419.535.6000 877.668.3472 (toll-free) 419.531.8465 (fax) © 1995 - 2009 EISC, Inc. |