CIFT

12/13/2025

Thank you for the influx of support this past week. Due to this support, our tenants can now continue utilizing the kitchen until 12/31/25.

This gives our 22 active businesses a little more time to adjust and prepare for the holidays, but they still need your help. We want to keep going.

We are asking for support, both financially and through testimonials.

Any donations provided will go directly to the NOCK in order to maintain operations for the numerous small businesses relying on this facility for their business. If CIFT lacks the capacity to manage the funds, they will be transferred to another entity for this purpose.

Thank you.

Donation link: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=KME4PB7SK6T44

Testimonial link: https://forms.gle/FXykhegC7Wbc8cR49

12/08/2025

We're excited to share our updated Sponsorship Opportunities, designed to help organizations connect directly with leaders shaping Ohio’s food economy.

CIFT sponsorship elevates visibility at the center of industry conversations. Our Ohio Food Industry Summit brings together executives, innovators, and technical experts. Past presenters include PepsiCo, Microsoft, and Hershey, offering insights on emerging technologies and market trends.

In addition to the Summit, our seminars and networking events foster collaboration between manufacturers, solution providers, and academia.

We offer three tiers, with limited Platinum and Gold availability, ensuring strong visibility and meaningful industry relationships.

If you’re looking to expand reach and position your organization as a thought leader, explore sponsorship with CIFT. Your support sustains programs that advance innovation across Ohio’s food sector.

Reach out to us to learn more.

12/04/2025

Winning manufacturers don’t rely on one person to drive improvement. They build teams that see opportunities, make small changes, and measure results together.

Join us for our upcoming webinar, “Making Continuous Improvement Everyone’s Job,” on Tuesday, December 10 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., to learn how to create a culture of improvement that lasts.

Joseph Schultz, Senior Industry 4.0 Program Manager, and Jason Shinniger, Project Manager – Food Operations, will share practical ways to empower your team, strengthen accountability, and turn everyday operations into measurable wins.

Register now to save your spot: https://ciftinnovation.org/continuous-improvement/webinar-continuous-improvement-culture/

Join CIFT’s free webinar to learn how to build a culture of continuous improvement that drives measurable results.

12/03/2025

Congratulations to Jayne Tegge, our November Impact Snapshot winner!

Jayne stood out this month for her incredible behind-the-scenes contributions, from organizing our physical workspace and inventory to strengthening internal outreach tools and gathering partner testimonials. Her work consistently helps our team operate more smoothly and serve our partners more effectively.

At CIFT, Impact Snapshots are our way of capturing meaningful, everyday moments that drive results, whether it’s a client win, an internal process improvement, or a small action that makes a big difference. These snapshots help us celebrate progress, share knowledge, and stay connected as a team.

Thanks, Jayne, for showing how operational excellence and teamwork can go hand in hand.

12/02/2025

Today is Giving Tuesday, and we’re inviting our community to support the entrepreneurs who rely on the Northwest Ohio Cooperative Kitchen (NOCK).

The NOCK is a vital resource for small food businesses across the region, giving them access to the space, equipment, and guidance they need to grow. Every year, dozens of startups and emerging brands use this facility to test recipes, scale production, and bring their products to market. Your support helps keep this opportunity within reach for the next wave of Ohio food entrepreneurs.

If you believe in supporting local food businesses, strengthening communities, and expanding opportunity across the state, we hope you’ll consider making a contribution today.

Make a Donation Make a Donation Empowering Ohio’s Food Entrepreneurs Since 1995, CIFT has been dedicated to driving competitiveness for food processors, manufacturers, and small businesses throughout Ohio. We combine innovative business solutions, cutting-edge technology, and technical expertise t...

12/01/2025

Tomorrow is Giving Tuesday, and we’re inviting our community to support the entrepreneurs who rely on the Northwest Ohio Cooperative Kitchen (NOCK).

The NOCK helps small food businesses access the space, equipment, and expertise they need to grow. Every year, dozens of startups and emerging brands use this facility to test recipes, scale production, and take their products to market. Your support helps us keep this resource accessible and make sure the next wave of Ohio food entrepreneurs has what they need to succeed.

If you believe in supporting local food businesses, building stronger communities, and creating opportunities across Ohio, we hope you’ll consider making a contribution tomorrow.

Learn more or make a donation here: https://ciftinnovation.org/nock-donations/

Make a Donation Make a Donation Empowering Ohio’s Food Entrepreneurs Since 1995, CIFT has been dedicated to driving competitiveness for food processors, manufacturers, and small businesses throughout Ohio. We combine innovative business solutions, cutting-edge technology, and technical expertise t...

11/28/2025

Thanksgiving may be behind us, but the real creativity starts now. Leftovers give everyone a chance to show off their best food hacks, and the data shows we all have a different go-to strategy.

Some take the classic route. Surveys show that anywhere from 37 to 44 percent of Americans turn leftover turkey into a sandwich, sometimes stacked high with stuffing and cranberry sauce. Others branch out, with about 41 percent incorporating turkey into soups, chilis, tacos, stir-frys, or pot pies.

A surprising number simply recreate the holiday all over again. In one survey, roughly 26 percent said they plate up a “second Thanksgiving” with all the sides included. Another 17 percent mix everything together into one dish, like a casserole or one-pan meal.

And many people treat leftovers as ingredients instead of meals. Nearly half of Americans say they use leftovers to build new dishes each week, whether that is shredded turkey for enchiladas or mashed potatoes repurposed into shepherd’s pie.

So now we are curious. How do you handle your leftovers? Do you stick with the classic sandwich, reinvent your dishes completely, or recreate the holiday all over again?

Share your go-to approach. We would love to hear what your kitchen looks like the day after Thanksgiving.

11/27/2025

We are thankful for all of you and your support.

11/26/2025

If you want to stay current on industry topics, new ideas, and insights from events across Ohio, our team regularly shares articles and stories on the CIFT blog. We cover everything from emerging trends to real world challenges and solutions that matter to food processors and manufacturers.

Explore the latest posts here: https://ciftinnovation.org/blog/

11/24/2025

Join us for an inside look at FST Logistics during the CIFT Warehouse Tour.

This visit offers a close up view of the operations, processes, and logistics capabilities that support food and beverage companies throughout Ohio. It is a great opportunity to connect, learn, and see best practices in action.

The tour will take place on Tuesday, December 9 from 1:00 PM to 3:30 PM at 3280 Southpark Place in Grove City.

Please RSVP by Friday, December 5 at 12:00 PM.

We hope to see you there.