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The Center |
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Members Membership RSS Feeds CIFT Video Library News Archive Contact Us |
Special Programs...
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.
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.
In the CIFT Spotlight...
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.
CIFT 2006 Report to IndustryA report of CIFT's 2006 programs, projects and activities
HHS Food Facilities FDA Registration LetterThere has been some confusion regarding a form letter sent to food facilities by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Ohio MarketMakerAn interactive mapping system that locates businesses and markets of agricultural products in Ohio, providing an important link between producers and consumers.
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...
Projects
One of CIFT’s longest standing members is Heritage Fare, Inc., a Cleveland based producer and marketer of ethnic specialty foods. Over the past four years, CIFT has completed a number of projects with the company. The results of these projects are now culminating in significant positive results for them.
Several years ago, the President and Chief Executive of Heritage Fare, Wendell Turner, signed a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA), with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s development laboratory in Peoria, Illinois. The agreement gave Heritage Fare the rights to use Nutri-Gras™ , a substance that is produced from cornstarch, soybean oil, and other agricultural products. The sensory characteristics of Nutri-Gras™ are such that it can mimic the “mouth feel” of fat when included with food products.
Several CIFT projects that involved Heritage Fare and other CIFT members developed methods for mixing Nutri-Gras™ with substances that can be used to enhance the flavor of selected food products. The net effect of these projects is that Nutri-Gras™ can be used to reduce the fat content in food products while actually improving their flavor. Dr. Shari Plimpton of CIFT, who was involved with Heritage Fare, says, “Nutri-Gras™ can now remove one of the biggest objections to low fat foods, that they don’t taste as good as their full fat counterparts.”
As a result, Heritage Fare, and several other CIFT members and customers are working toward a demonstration project to show that meat products sold through school lunch programs can provide high protein, low fat products that young people will actually eat. When successfully completed, the program will lead to increased sales opportunities for the Ohio companies that participate in it, and represent a step in combating nutritional problems among our young people.
Mr. Turner states, “This project demonstrates the value of programs like CIFT, without whose help we wouldn’t have gotten this far. Their understanding of the industry and their network of contacts is just what people just starting out need.”
Several initiatives are currently underway between CIFT and Heritage Fare. The school lunch project with lean hamburger patties is continuing. CIFT member Cooper Foods is also working with Heritage Fare to develop turkey products that use Nutri-Gras™ as a fat substitute. After that, “Salad dressings, sauces, and maybe even baked goods will be targeted next”, according to Turner.
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CIFT, 5555 Airport Highway,
Ste 100, Toledo, Ohio 43615-7320
419.534.3710 877.668.3472 (toll-free) 419.531.8412 (fax) © 1995 - 2008 EISC, Inc. |
Ken Lee and Dan McGrady Elected to EISC, Inc. Governing Board
Expansion of USDA BioPreferred Program & Program Coordinator Hired to Assist Local Initiatives
Please visit the News Archive for earlier press releases & news.