Food Stories: The Podcast

In this special episode of Food Stories: The Podcast, we sit down with Paula Ray, the soon-to-be-retired Operations Manager of the Northwest Ohio Cooperative Kitchen (NOCK), to reflect on nearly two decades of dedicated service. Paula shares the history of the NOCK, its transformative impact on the local and regional food industry, and the lessons learned from helping countless food entrepreneurs bring their visions to life. From navigating regulatory hurdles to supporting small food businesses on their journey from farmers' markets to store shelves, Paula's insights highlight the NOCK’s role as a launching pad for dreams. We also discuss how the NOCK has evolved over the years, her proudest moments, and what’s next for Paula as she embarks on a well-deserved retirement. Don’t miss this heartfelt conversation about passion, perseverance, and the profound impact of supporting small food businesses. Thanks to our Sponsors: The Ohio MEP JobsOhio

In this episode of Food Stories, we sit down with Anna Shields, the dynamic CEO of Snowville Creamery, to delve into her inspiring journey from a teenage farmhand to leading one of Ohio's most innovative dairy companies. Anna shares her personal story of starting in the dairy industry at just 16 and rising through the ranks to become CEO in November 2022. We'll explore Snowville Creamery's commitment to sustainability, their unique A2A2 dairy products, and the challenges and triumphs of running a business dedicated to premium and wholesome dairy products. Discover how Snowville Creamery supports local farmers, practices regenerative agriculture, and strives to create a positive impact on the planet and its community. Whether you're in the food industry or simply interested in the journey of how quality dairy products make it to your table, this episode offers a heartfelt and insightful look into the world of dairy farming and production. Join us for an engaging conversation with Anna Shields, where passion, innovation, and dedication come together to enrich the lives of many. A special thanks again to our sponsors for making this programming possible – ⁠JobsOhio⁠ ⁠Ohio MEP 

Today we get a chance to sit down with one of our keynotes of our 2024 Ohio Food Industry Summit - Jacob Hall also known as the Manufacturing Millennial. With an an audience of 75,000+ followers with over 100 million views on social media Jacob is a strong advocate for innovation and more for manufacturers. We talk about his background, how he has grown such a massive online following, and what he is looking forward to by engaging with us in person at the OFIS on April 2nd in Lewis Center. Don't miss this exciting conversation, and you can follow him on LinkedIn, and don't forget to register to join us on April 2nd for the Ohio Food Industry Summit!

For our first episode of Food Stories: Season 3,  we are joined by Maddie Coppel, the Food Editor of The Toledo Blade. Maddie is from Chillicothe, OH, and graduated from The Ohio State University in May of 2023 with a bachelor of science degree in agricultural communication. She joined The Blade in June 2023 and covers all things food for Northwest Ohio. You can find her column weekly in the Sunday edition of The Blade. We had a great and entertaining conversation where she shared how she came to love food and writing, how a person of her generation person views the surprising history and depth of the food industry in our region, and what she is excited about covering for the future. So sit back and join us for this episode of Food Stories: The Podcast. A special thanks again to our sponsors for making this programming possible – JobsOhio Ohio MEP 

Go into any grocery store and you can’t help but be amazed by the amount of options for craft beer. Travel across the state through towns small, medium, or large, and you will come across tap rooms and breweries featuring local and unique craft beers. With over 400 breweries operating in Ohio last year and close to a hundred more in the planning stages, this mature market is fueled by passionate craftspeople of all ages.We got a chance to sit down and discuss all things craft beer with Justin Hemminger - Deputy Director of the Ohio Craft Brewers Association. For this discussion we were joined by FICT’s own craft beer enthusiast, Matt Inniger - Program Manager – Advanced Food Technology. Sit back and listen as we talk about how this artisan product has grown and put its unique impact across our state and beyond. And if you want to learn more about the Ohio Craft Brewers Association click for their website.  A special thanks again to our sponsors for making this programming possible - JobsOhio Ohio MEP