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.

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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

Ken Lee and Dan McGrady Elected to EISC, Inc. Governing Board

Ken Lee, Food Safety Center Director at The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, and Daniel McGrady, Vice President of Technical Services at Wyandot, Inc., in Marion, Ohio, were recently elected to the governing board of EISC, Inc.

Dr. Lee received his Bachelor of Science in food science from Rutgers University, his Master of Science and Doctorate Degrees in food science and nutrition from the University of Massachusetts. As Director of the OSU Food Safety Center, Dr. Lee advances OSU’s food safety mission by commercialization of food safety technologies, which help reduce deaths from food borne llnesses. He is a member of the American Association for Advancement of Science, American Association of Cereal Chemists, American Institute of Nutrition, American Chemical Society, Institute of Food Technologists, and National Science Teachers Association.

Mr. McGrady received his Bachelor of Science in biology from the University of Toledo, and his Masters in Business Administration from Ashland University. As Vice President of Technical Services at Wyandot, Mr. McGrady is responsible for quality, product development, regulatory compliance, and marketing. He was previously with the Kroger Company’s baked foods division in Columbus, Ohio. He is also a member of the American Society for Quality and is certified as both a Quality Engineer and a Quality Auditor. He is a professional member of the Institute of Food Technologists, and currently serves as the Chairman of the Scientific Review Committee of the Snack Food Association.

Julian Gravino, President and CEO of EISC, Inc., added, "Messrs. Lee and McGrady bring a wealth of knowledge and leadership in the food processing industry in support of EISC’s primary business, the Center for Innovative Food Technology (CIFT)."

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CIFT News...

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