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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
Urban Food Bank Generates Produce, Pride and Promise
Toledo, like many other cities in the nation, has been impacted by the economic challenges of the past several months. The impact is realized directly when the most basic of needs, food, is in jeopardy. Feeding programs, food pantries, and shelters have experienced unprecedented increases in requests and inquiries for assistance. One urban based food bank has merged the need with an advanced growing technology to achieve its own productive garden. The Toledo Seagate Food Bank collaborated with the Center for Innovative Food Technology to install, operate, grow and disseminate fresh produce directly to those in need in the community.
Through the inclusion of a high density vertical hydroponic growing system, the food bank has the capacity of growing 1000 plants in a non-traditional location, next to their warehouse and parking lot in the urban setting. Tomatoes, an assortment of peppers, basil, onions, squash, lettuce, and more have resulted in over 254 pounds of fresh produce the past two months for the benefit of the clients served.
The vertical growing system, designed by Verti-Gro, was installed by volunteers and staff of the food bank. The garden operates with 48 pots filled with a coconut potting medium designed to hold moisture and maintain the root base. Within three weeks of construction and planting, lettuce was harvested. The inclusion of the garden has increased awareness of growing food for individual consumption, increased pride in a community otherwise struggling, encouraged promise for increased food availability, and fostered enthusiasm from young and old as the crops matured. Due to the remarkably positive impact realized by those we serve, our staff, and the entire community, it is our desire to double the production capacity next year, remarked Deb Vas of Toledo Seagate Food Bank.
Eight vertical gardens have been installed in the Toledo area the past year with the intent of engaging more people in growing produce and educating on the impacts of vegetables on daily diets. These structures range in size from a patio capacity of 64 plants to the commercial production of more than 2100 plants. Equally wide ranging are the outlets engaged in growing, from the elementary school to senior centers and the health department; all are increasing the awareness of produce and the growing potential, commented Rebecca Singer from CIFT. In the midst of great challenges, innovative strategies can regain confidence and hope. The inclusion of a growing technique in a non-traditional outlet for the benefit of a struggling community, grows pride and promise along with the produce.
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CIFT, 5555 Airport Highway,
Ste 100, Toledo, Ohio 43615-7320
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