The Center of Innovative Food Technology (CIFT) is a nonprofit organization created to provide technical solutions to food processing companies. CIFT’s mission is to assist food processors gain competitive advantage in the world marketplace by offering technology-driven solutions in applied research, product, and process development, and business assistance. CIFT and AIF work TOGETHER to support the Northwest Ohio Cooperative Kitchen - NOCK.

For more info about CIFT please visit: ciftinnovation.org

NOrtHWEST OHIO
COOPERATIVE KITCHEN
-NOCK-

Born out of Northwest Ohio's rich tradition in fruit and vegetable production and food processing, the Northwest Ohio Cooperative Kitchen focuses on the development and production of specialty, value added foods.

The Northwest Ohio Cooperative Kitchen (NOCK) is a nonprofit commercial kitchen facility designed to assist entrepreneurial efforts and expand current food-related businesses. The kitchen facility assists new and growing businesses by providing access to a commercially licensed kitchen, networking opportunities with other like entities and technical assistance.

The kitchen incubator's services and resources bridge the gap between an idea and reality. It is costly to start a small-scale food manufacturing operation when exploring a food based venture. However, new and growing businesses can avoid this initial expenditure by utilizing the commercial kitchen until the business is viable and ready to graduate to its own manufacturing facility.

The kitchen facility maintains a baking and canning license and is approved by both the Wood County Health Department and the Ohio Department of Agriculture. Therefore, most of the foods produced in the kitchen can be marketed and sold in local, regional, and national markets. At this time, the facility cannot accommodate products with meat or alcohol. All ingredients must be fit for human consumption.

The commercial kitchen is approximately 560 sq. ft. and includes an additional dry storage area measuring approximately 90 sq. ft. Available equipment includes a six-burner stove, bakery depth convection oven, tilting braiser, Hobart mixer with attachments, refrigerator and freezer, three compartment sink, vegetable prep sink, a hand wash sink, dry storage racks, stainless steel work surfaces, and rolling racks.

In addition to the commercial kitchen, a food processing area is available for rent. The space includes a grade level loading dock with overhead door, a single cylinder piston filler with an unscrambling and accumulation table, steam jacketed kettles, and a labeling machine. Additionally a Hobart industrial dish washing machine, soiled dish table with sink, clean dish table, hand sink, vegetable prep sink, and stainless steel work tables are available. Finally, a pH meter, as well as storage cages large enough to accommodate pallets and shelves for storing ingredients and packaging material. One walk in cooler unit 10' by 20' has been reconditioned and offers refrigeration capabilities.

Equally, one of the greenhouses attached to the main building is a 20' warehouse space, complete with individual storage cages. All of these elements will accommodate the needs of kitchen tenants working to establish their business.

For more info about the Northwest Ohio Cooperative Kitchen or to lease space please contact us.

Paula Ray 419-704-5973