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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
Celebrating Toledo's Specialty Foods
CIFT & the Northwest Ohio Restaurant Association Announce Winning Food Entries in the 1st Annual Product Development Competition
The contest co-winners, presenters, & speakers at this year's event (l to r): contest co-winner Annie Patjarasgit of Magic Wok, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur, CIFT's Rebecca Singer, contest co-winner Shirley Pollman of Pause for Chocolate, CIFT's David Beck, contest co-winners Jack and Gayle Sparagowski of Ski's Polish-American Restaurant, and Lucas County Commisioner Tina Skeldon Wosniak
Northwest Ohio is rich with specialty or signature products developed locally but recognizable regionally and nationally.
CIFT and the Northwest Ohio Restaurant Association conducted their First Annual Food Product Development Competition wherein local food entrepreneurs and chefs were encouraged to submit a food product concept for consideration. Following a review of the written application and a presentation to a panel of judges, the highest scoring concepts were selected. Experienced food industry judges included Larry Croy, President of LarMar Foods Inc; Steven Hirzel, President of Hirzel Canning Company; Walt Churchill, Owner of Churchill’s Markets; Dr. Ken Lee, Professor & Chairman of the Department of Food Science and Technology in the College of Food, Agriculutural, and Environmental Sciences at Ohio State University; and Dave Beck, Director of CIFT.
On June 30, 2008, the winning entries were announced at the Magic Wok Restaurant in Maumee, Ohio. Among the numerous applicants who submitted food product ideas, three co-winners were chosen in recognition of their product and strategic business concepts. Ohio Ninth District Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur presented awards to Shirley Pollman of Pause for Chocolate for her chocolate pizza confection; Jack and Gayle Sparagowski of Ski`s Polish-American Restaurant in Sylvania, Ohio for their sauerkraut balls; and Tom and Annie Patjarasgit of Magic Wok Restaurants, for their sweet & sour sauce.
Guests enjoy samples of the winning entries at the Magic Wok Restaurant in Maumee, Ohio.
The award winners will receive direct consultation and technical assistance provided by the CIFT staff ranging from increasing batch production, product and process development, shelf stability testing, labeling review, regulatory assistance, and batch product preparations for sampling. Each recipient will follow good manufacturing practices ensuring a quality product for market access.
The award will help the winners successfully launch their products in a variety of ways. As the chocolate pizza is a product currently being made by hand and distributed at farmers markets, this award supports the efforts of a new startup business. The sauerkraut balls and sweet & sour sauce have their foundation in local restaurants. These products can build upon an established client base and foster product recognition to further advance these products in the market place.
The combined efforts of the Center for Innovative Food Technology and the Northwest Ohio Restaurant Association will guide each developer through the appropriate procedures required to take a concept and make it a reality.
Please view the event video...
Food Product Competition Awards Presentation - Awards presentation and remarks by Ohio 9th District Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur, Lucas County Commissioner Tina Skeldon Wosniak, and Mr. David Beck, President & CEO, CIFT. (17 minutes)
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Ken Lee and Dan McGrady Elected to EISC, Inc. Governing Board
Expansion of USDA BioPreferred Program & Program Coordinator Hired to Assist Local Initiatives
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