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. US Army (Natick) Soldier Systems CenterA DoD installation responsible for the technology, research, development, engineering, fielding and sustainment of our military's food, clothing, shelters, airdrop systems, and Soldier support items.In the CIFT Spotlight...
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...
Privacy PolicyThe CIFT website privacy policy...Projects
Wendell Turner, president & CEO of Diversified Services Corporation and subsidiary Heritage Fare, Ltd., has learned to roll with the punches over the last 25 years. After establishing his food distributorship in Cleveland in 1981, he struggled to compete with the buying power of Sysco and other larger companies. Later, when he started making and marketing his own line of ethnic sauces and seasonings, well-entrenched grocery giants made it difficult for Turner’s loyal, local supermarket customers to compete.
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As a Director to the AIF, CIFT assists in achieving the mission of educating the community on agriculture and stimulating interest in and respect for agriculture as a mainstay for the area economy. One effort in doing so is reflected through the small business assistance provided by NOCK. CIFT provides business and technical assistance to entrepreneurs exploring the establishment of a food business. This commercially designed outlet offers a location for the development and production of specialty, value-added foods. To date, seven businesses have entered the marketplace with additional approaching production capability while more than 130 have benefited from the information, business and technical assistance provided. Two catering businesses have utilized the facility as a means to accommodate expansion efforts.
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Direct Marketing initiatives and outreach associated with local produce is a focus of the Rural Income Enhancement program. Multiple avenues have been pursued to explore how and where local producers can enhance their operation and expand market potential. One such effort is visible through the Farm to Chef program and the “Fresh Sheets” distributed weekly to more than 25 farmers and 150 local chefs searching for fresh ingredients for their tasty creations. These ingredients range from certified organic and heirloom varieties of produce to poultry, meat, eggs, specialty baked goods, and value-added items such as jams and chutneys. Farmers are connected to restaurants therein establishing a method of communicating desired products and means of accessing them.
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As a supplier to General Motors, Ford and DaimlerChrysler, Carlisle Engineered Products knew that ISO 14001 standard compliance was inevitable. So, company management came to EISC for assistance.
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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.
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A major CIFT project has the potential for providing huge economic benefit to Ohio and its institutions, enhancing revenues for Ohio egg producers, all while improving food safety for the American public. The project involves the development and commercialization of an Ohio-developed technology for the sterilization of eggs still in the shell.
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One of the most significant and far reaching CIFT initiatives of the past year is the establishment of a permanent program dedicated to the development of technology to produce energy from food and agricultural waste products. In cooperation with Dr. Floyd Schanbacher, Professor in the Department of Animal Sciences at the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, CIFT has constructed several pilot scale anaerobic digesters that are being used to evaluate different operating conditions for producing biogas, which contains up to 70% methane, from animal waste, vegetable processing waste, meat processing waste, crop residues, and other agricultural waste streams, either individually or in combinations.
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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. |
CIFT and Northwest Ohio Restaurant Association Announce Product Development Competition
Mid American Ag and Hort Services (MAAHS) Now Under CIFT Management
The Blade Features NOCK and NOCK Alumnus Stadium Salsa in Business Article
Northwest Ohio Cooperative Kitchen Featured in Toledo City Paper Cover Story
Please visit the News Archive for earlier press releases & news.