CIFT Entrepreneur Services

CIFT provides the following services for entrpreneurs:

• Small Business Assistance
• Shared-Use Kitchen
• Distribution Network
• Co-Packer Processing

Small Business Assistance

CIFT has worked with small and start up companies since the center's inception in 1995. In conjunction with the Northwest Ohio Cooperative Kitchen (NOCK), CIFT provides product development guidelines, resources and marketing direction to entrepreneurs involved in the production of value-added food products. Technical capabilities, including nutritional analysis and self-life stability testing, ensure that the products are produced safely and properly.

CIFT hosts numerous educational programs at the NOCK facility that show participants how to establish a commercially viable food business. Our food technology center also helps food-based entrepreneurs with regulatory compliance involving local health departments and the Ohio Department of Agriculture. Information on packaging options, sourcing of ingredients and labeling offer a portfolio of knowledge to start up enterprises. One-on-one consultations with CIFT business advisors provide help with defining a viable plan to establish a profitable food business venture.

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Shared-Use Kitchen

The Northwest Ohio Cooperative Kitchen (NOCK) provides an affordable venue in which to develop a concept into a commercially viable food product. The commercial kitchen facility combines business and technical assistance with production equipment to bridge the gap between an idea and reality.

The ability to network with other entrepreneurs, access information and take advantage of production capacity - all in one spot - minimizes the risk for a new food business venture.

For additional information, download the NOCK brochure.

To view a slideshow tour of the NOCK facility, please click here.

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Distribution Network

CIFT works with start-up food processing companies through its association with several Midwestern incubator facilities. Through these relationships, we have learned that limited distribution resources represent a major barrier to growth for small processors.

By linking small producers on a regional basis, multiple companies can synergize their distribution efforts.  Utilizing backhauls and consolidating shipments, for instance, allow small companies to extend their markets and reduce delivery expenses. To this end CIFT has explored and will continue to investigate a model for creating a virtual distribution company. Multiple food manufacturing companies have provided information on their capacity to assist with this initiative. For more information about the proposed virtual food distribution company, contact us at our toll-free number or e-mail us to speak to a CIFT business advisor.

Co-Packer Processing

Start-up food companies often do not have the capability to efficiently manufacture all products with their own equipment or within their available facility. One option is to turn to contract processing or co-packaging with a larger, established food processing company. CIFT has done the research for you by identifying packers and processors that offer this service. Contact us for more details on this initiative.

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CIFT Services for...

• Producers

• Processors

• Agribusiness

• Greenhouses

• Equipment Manufacturers

• Restaurant/Food Service

• Entrepreneurs