submitted by Elizabeth Maynard, Purdue University

The Center for Innovative Food Technology, CIFT, is sponsoring a day-long workshop for farmers, producers, food service venues, and those interested in buying and eating local. The workshop will also interest business and economic development professionals exploring local food connections. The event will be held on Wednesday, November 18, 2009 in the Ward Pavilion at 5100 W. Central Avenue at the east end of Wildwood Preserve Metro Park between Corey and Reynolds roads in Toledo, Ohio.

This workshop will focus on: how to connect local produce to the restaurants and other food service venues, how to get more local foods into the schools, selling directly to the consumers, niche markets, community supported agriculture, and how to produce the family recipe into a product to sell.

Presenters will include retired chef, restaurant owner and local food advocate Parker Bosley from the Cleveland area: Deb Eschmeyer, an Ohio advocate of the Farm to School National Organization, along with presentations from participating members of the Northwest Ohio Fresh Network.

Workshop fee is $20 or bring two canned goods for the Toledo Seagate Food Bank and the fee is $15. The event will start at 10:00 AM with walk-in registration starting at 9:30 AM and will adjourn at 4:00 PM. Local refreshments and lunch will be served. Registration to this event is required. To register or for additional information, please call Louise Mikesell-Wireman at 419-535-6000 or email wireman@eisc.org.