The SBDC (small business development corporation) at Lorain County Community College and the Center for Food Innovation held its inaugural “Your Amazing Food Idea” pitch competition, April 17th, 2023. Ten companies with a diverse selection of food offerings presented – primarily people of color and/or female founders. Beth Gantz, Senior Business Advisor at the SBDC,ContinueContinue reading ““Your Amazing Food Idea” Winners”
Author Archives: barawatts
Mary Holmes, regional food leader becomes Board Chair
We are thrilled to announce the Mary Holmes has agreed to serve as our new Board Chairperson. Having co-founded the North Union Farmers Market in 1995, Mary has been a leader in the local food movement in Northeast Ohio for nearly 30 years. She is also president of Innovative Farmers of Ohio, lecturer at CWRUContinueContinue reading “Mary Holmes, regional food leader becomes Board Chair”
Business Support for Food Producers: Gaps in Entrepreneurial Programs
Elizabeth Schuster, Environmental Economist – While much research has been conducted around tech business startups, there is a clear knowledge gap when it comes to helping food businesses start and grow. Entrepreneurial support for food businesses and farmers is as critical as agriculture and food production are a foundation for many rural economies. Further, inContinueContinue reading “Business Support for Food Producers: Gaps in Entrepreneurial Programs”
New Organization Seeks to Strengthen Food Networks in the Region
The Center for Food Innovation at Oberlin led by Executive Director Bara Watts, seeks to create a more substantial food network within Lorain County and turn Northeast Ohio into the breadbasket of the Midwest.
The Time to Innovate is Now
Crain’s Cleveland May, 2020, Author, Bara Watts You may have heard, “Never waste a good disaster.” Out of chaos and destruction, opportunity can be born. History has demonstrated over and over again that companies willing to navigate the storm and innovate, versus those that recoil and hunker down, have reaped rewards. Consider this small listContinueContinue reading “The Time to Innovate is Now”
Jobs Ohio Report Highlights Opportunities and Trends In Ohio’s Food Industry
In 2019 Joe Needham, Director of Food and Agribusiness for the State of Ohio published a report that highlighting some of the development and innovation opportunities entrepreneurs should know about. READ REPORT First off, understand that Ohio agribusiness sector contributes $16.4 billion to the state’s Gross State Product annually. The combined food and agribusiness contributesContinueContinue reading “Jobs Ohio Report Highlights Opportunities and Trends In Ohio’s Food Industry”