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The Center |
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Special Programs...
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 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 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 2007 Report to IndustryA report of CIFT's 2007 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.
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.
Ohio MarketMakerAn interactive mapping system that locates businesses and markets of agricultural products in Ohio, providing an important link between producers and consumers.
The Fresh Sheet is back!!!The Farm to Chef Fresh Sheet is back for the 2008 growing season! Check out the locally grown produce available now. Check the Fresh Sheet weekly for updates.
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. Privacy PolicyThe CIFT website privacy policy...
CIFT News
CIFT's Dave Beck announcing the Product Development Competition
On February 29, 2008, the Center for Innovative Food Technology and the Northwest Ohio Restaurant Association announced the Product Development Competition. The announcement was made at Tony Packo's Restaurant located across from Fifth Third field.
The Product Development Competition is a competition where restaurant owners and entrepreneurs submit food product ideas to be judged for their market potential. Each idea will be judged on product viability, commercialization vision, success potential and the contestant's commitment to the product's success.
Mr. David Beck, Director of CIFT Programs, in announcing the competition, introduced a number of food product entrepreneurs that have been assisted by CIFT and the Northwest Ohio Cooperative Kitchen (NOCK) in successfully bringing their products to market. The entrepreneurs in attendance included Dennis Dickey of Willy's Inc., Randa Sweet of Sweet Louise LLC, Greg Shepherd of Stadium Salsa LLC, Jennifer Swan of Swannee Foods, LTD., and Li Yu of Three Brothers Foods Company LLC. Each of these entrepreneurs brought samples of their products for the audience to enjoy.
Tony Packo Jr. discusses what it takes to get a new product to market
Mr. Tony Packo Jr. hosted the event and talked about his experiences bringing Tony Packo's products to market. He discussed many aspects of food product development including product inception, introducing and refining each product at Tony Packo's restaurant, seeking co-packers and finding outlets to sell the product. He stressed the need to continuously market the product for success. Mr. Packo congratulated the entrepreneurs in the audience for their success and urged them to keep working hard to expand their products' market distribution.
Randa Sweet describing her experience working with CIFT to successfully bring her product to market
Ms. Randa Sweet of Sweet Louise LLC stated that working with CIFT and NOCK was the key to successfully bringing her sauces and ice cream toppings to market. She described how NOCK helped her through the steps required to successfully produce and market a product including production recipe development, nutritional analysis, label design and regulatory approval, shelf life determination, container procurement and market business planning.
Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur stressing the importance of locally-made products in the local economy
Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur attended the event and spoke of the importance of new Toledo-produced food products to Northwestern Ohio's economy. In particular, she pointed out, that given the Toledo area's diverse ethnic heritage and the ethnic foods that are a part of that heritage, the lack of good, quality ethnic food-inspired products in the broader food market is virtually an untapped market opportunity. An opportunity just waiting for area food entrepreneurs willing to find, develop and market new, innovative food products to the rest of the world.
The Northwest Ohio Restaurant Association's Gregory Rufty emphasizing the association's support for local food product entrepreneurial efforts
Mr. Gregory Rufty, Vice President of the Northwest Ohio Restaurant Association, closed the program by reminding the audience of the economic value the food industry to Northwest Ohio noting that the Toledo area ranks 2nd in the nation in restaurants per capita. He applauded the efforts of both local restaurants and food producers tapping into this market.
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