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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.
CIFT News
For Food Entrepreneurs, Opportunity Knocks at CIFT-Sponsored NOCK Breakfast Meeting
The latest installment of the monthly CIFT Agricultural Breakfast Forum takes place on Thursday, June 18, from 7:30 to 9 a.m. at the Agricultural Incubator Foundation, 13737 Middleton Pike, Bowling Green, OH 43402. The topic for this month`s forum is Value-Added Food Production and Starting a Food-Related Business.
The Northwest Ohio Cooperative Kitchen (NOCK) focuses on the development and production of specialty, value added foods. NOCK is a nonprofit commercial kitchen facility designed to assist entrepreneurial efforts and expand current food-related businesses. The kitchen facility assists new and growing businesses by providing access to a commercially licensed kitchen, networking opportunities with other startups and technical assistance.
Paula Ray, CIFT Small Business Coordinator and NOCK Kitchen Manager, will discuss the incubator kitchen’s services and facilities and give a guided tour of the facility. The presentation will also feature the success stories of two local producers who used the kitchen to start and grow their food business. Samples of their products will be available for tasting.
Willy`s Famous Salsa is the outcome of years of making salsa for family and friends by its producer and owner, Dennis Dickey. After years of people urging Mr. Dickey to make his salsa available to the public, he decided to give his salsa a name and produce it for everyone`s enjoyment. The unique recipe is produced at the NOCK and the product has now successfully reached placement in over 200 stores.
The Sweet Louise Sauces, LLC story began when founder, Randa Sweet, headed to the kitchen for some comfort, found vanilla ice cream, and created a chocolate-peanut butter sauce topping to suit her mood. She called it her Panda Potion and, for the next 20 years, shared it with only a few lucky friends. In 2005, Randa attended a networking event where she learned about NOCK. She incorporated and sold her first jar in 2006 with the help of the NOCK facilities and has recently expanded her product line.
Join the forum on the third Thursday each month from 7:30-9:00 a.m. for breakfast and informal networking opportunities. Cost is $10 per person. Each month will feature a different speaker and topic. For more information and to register, call or e-mail Paula at 419-823-3099, or aif@agincubator.org.
For additional information, please view the event brochure.
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