Northwest Ohio Company Provides Technical Solutions for Food Processing

Ohio's agriculture and food processing industry is a diverse sector that includes farming, seed supply, agrichemicals, farm machinery, wholesale and distribution, processing, marketing and retail sales. The state's strategic location between the grain belt and Eastern markets brings together all of the elements that comprise food production and underlies Ohio's strength in food processing. Over 76,500 farms cover more than 14 million acres - nearly 55 percent of the total land area. Although responsible for only 2 percent of the nation's crop and livestock production, Ohio ranks 18th in value of total agricultural products sold. The state is also a leader in the specialized nutraceutical food production industry.

Here's a snapshot of how one northwest Ohio company is leading the way in the agriculture and food processing industry:

The Center for Innovative Food Technology (CIFT) at EISC, Inc. in Toledo, Ohio provides technical solutions to companies involved in some of Ohio's largest and most economically significant industries: food production, processing and packaging. CIFT's mission is to help members of the agribusiness sector improve their competitive position through the development and adaptation of emerging technologies, industry best practices, and novel business approaches.

hiVelocity spoke with CIFT's Executive Vice President David Beck about new agriculture and food processing technologies taking place right here in Ohio. Click here to read more.

Agribusiness Companies Choose Ohio As Unbeatable Location

By: Matt McQuade, Ohio Business Development Coalition

Ohio is at the center of the U.S. agribusiness industry - literally. Located at the crossroads of the nation’s Grain Belt region and eastern markets, Ohio offers agribusiness companies everything necessary for a successful operation. The state’s convergence of key assets equates to 1,106 processing and production plants, food industry exports of over $25 billion annually, and headquarters for renowned companies such as Kroger, Chiquita, J.M. Smucker and Bob Evans.

In Ohio, agribusiness companies are able to bring in bulk raw materials and ship out finished goods at low cost.  Ohio is located within a one day trucking distance of 60 percent of both the U.S. and Canadian populations with multi-modal transportation options to receive and ship goods.  Access to the Great Lakes, rivers and vast aquifers further separates Ohio from other states, providing agribusiness companies with some of the nation’s largest and most productive sources of potable water.

Ohio’s competitiveness in agribusiness is strengthened by the lowest taxes in the Midwest and public-private research support to accelerate business growth. The state’s tax structure reduces operating costs by not assessing a tax on corporate income, tangible personal property or in-state sales, allowing companies to boost return on investment and maximize profits. In addition, Ohio’s state-supported research assets allow companies to research, develop and commercialize breakthrough innovations. The Edison Center for Innovative Food Technology helps companies improve their competitive position in the agribusiness industry through the development and adaption of emerging technologies.

Click here to learn more about why Ohio is an unbeatable location for agribusiness companies.

What’s for Dinner?

The process of bringing food to the table comprises many areas of agribusiness - farming, seed supply, agrichemicals, farm machinery, wholesale and distribution, processing, marketing and retail sales. Ohio’s agribusiness industry represents each of these elements of the food production chain.

Gary Cooper, vice president and chief operating officer of Cooper Farms, told me about how Ohio’s strengths in agribusiness help his family’s company continue to succeed.

Q: How do your employees exemplify Ohio's Midwest values? Please share your thoughts.