CIFT News

CIFT Hosts Cottage Food Industry Changes Informational Meeting

On Thursday, November 8th, farmers and food producers met with Ohio Department of Agriculture officials, insurance experts and CIFT personnel in Clyde, Ohio to learn about legal changes affecting Ohio cottage food industry practices, liability insurance issues, and how the Northwest Ohio Cooperative Kitchen (NOCK) can serve this constituency. Approximately 20 people attended the evening gathering hosted by CIFT and Betty and Richard Eshleman at their Eshleman Fruit Farm facilities. The audience participated in the discussion asking questions and providing feedback during the presentations.

Mr. Greg Hargett, Deputy Director of Policy & Marketing of the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA), and Mr. Charles Kirchner, Food Safety Administrator in the ODA's Food Safety Division discussed changes in the Ohio Revised Code and how they will affect the cottage food industry's preparation, distribution and selling of baked goods and jarred food products.

Mr. Marty Hansen, a Maumee, Ohio independent insurance agent discussed liability insurance issues including appropriate coverage amounts, working with insurance agents to get the right coverage, insurance company ratings, and the processes insurance companies go through to certify potential customers and periodic recertification of existing customers. Mr. Hansen also provided a Liability Insurance Fact sheet covering answers to common liability insurance questions.

Ms. Paula Ray, CIFT Cooperative Specialist at the NOCK, discussed the type of food products that the Northwest Cooperative Kitchen is state and locally certified to produce and how the NOCK can help cottage food producers make their products in accordance with the new cottage food industry requirements. She also discussed the process NOCK clients go through to ensure they can produce their product safely and sell it at a profit.

Please view the event video...

Ohio Cottage Food Industry Regulatory Changes - Mr. Greg Hargett, Deputy Director of Policy & Marketing, Ohio Department of Agriculture (38 minutes)

Cottage Food Industry Liability Insurance Issues - Mr. Martin Hansen, Independent Insurance Agent (16 minutes)

Northwest Ohio Cooperative Kitchen Cottage Food Production Services - Ms. Paula Ray, CIFT Cooperative Specialist (27 minutes)

For additional information...

• Cottage Foods - from the Ohio Department of Agriculture, Food Safety Division

• Product Liability FAQ* - by Marty Hansen

• The Northwest Ohio Cooperative Kitchen

*The document requires the Adobe Reader.  

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• 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

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