Food Fort Columbus

05/05/2026

Big things are happening at the Food Fort 🍽️

We’re excited to see ECDI client Sarah Nathan, founder of NOOISH, featured for launching a new Jewish culinary event series right here in Columbus.

“Fress Takes: Feasting on Joy” will bring chefs, storytelling, and community together through food — all hosted at ECDI’s Food Fort.

From launching her brand to creating space for cultural connection, Sarah’s journey is a powerful example of how food can bring people together and build community.

We’re proud to support entrepreneurs like Sarah and provide a space where ideas like this can come to life.

👉 Read more: https://www.columbusjewishnews.com/news/local_news/columbus-entrepreneur-to-debut-jewish-culinary-event-series/article_5e742397-b64b-4428-935f-4cc6896ffd71.html

05/04/2026

This National Small Business Week + Mother’s Day, we’re celebrating the power of family-run businesses.🏪

Onigiri Musume — a mom and her two daughters — are bringing authentic Japanese flavors to Columbus, inspired by recipes passed down through generations.

They were recently featured on Good Day Columbus (with Edwin Quinones!) sharing their story.

🍙 Support their business: onigirimusume.com

Catch them this summer at Upper Arlington + Clintonville farmers markets. 🧺

04/27/2026

Need your ServSafe certification? Don’t wait — these trainings fill quickly. 🚨

Join us for an in-person Food Protection Manager Certification training at Food Fort, designed for food business owners, bakers, caterers, restaurant teams, and aspiring entrepreneurs.

You’ll learn key food safety practices like:
-Safe food handling
-Proper storage
-Preventing cross-contamination
-Protecting customers and staff

Plus, you’ll take the exam onsite to earn your certification.

📍 Columbus, Ohio
🗓 Thursday, May 7
⏰ 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Special pricing: $65 (regularly $99)

Reserve your seat before it sells out ➜ https://www.eventbrite.com/e/servsafe-certification-training-tickets-1978436377463?aff=social

ECDI's Food Business Incubation Services is offering small in-person ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification trainings!

04/23/2026

Building a business takes focus, patience, and a willingness to refine what’s already working.🔥

Celestino Coffee is doing just that with their ready to drink coffee, crafted with plant based milks and unique, intentional flavors. Founded by Giovanni Almonte and Lindsey Byrd, the brand continues to grow while staying rooted in quality and creativity.

Through the Consumer Packaged Goods Accelerator, they focused on strengthening the foundation of their business, from marketing and sales to bookkeeping, creating more efficient systems to support their growth. One of the biggest takeaways was learning to stay patient, focus on what they do best, and create more targeted marketing that truly connects with their audience.

During the program, they developed flavors like Honey Oat and Almond Vanilla, with even more on the way. They’re continuing to expand into retail and plan to launch new seasonal flavors, starting with Latin inspired options like flan and coquito.

If you’re looking to support a growing local brand doing something different in coffee, this is a great one to check out: ☕️
celestinocoffee.com

04/21/2026

There’s something meaningful about a business that stays rooted in purpose while it grows.☕️

Café Graciela is a family-operated, Afro-Colombian owned coffee business bringing specialty grade coffee from Pijao, Colombia to Columbus. Their work is grounded in quality, culture, and intention—from how the coffee is grown to how it’s shared with their community.🌎

Through the Consumer Packaged Goods Accelerator, they worked on developing their evening spiced coffee subscription program, creating new ways to connect with customers and expand beyond the market.

Their story goes beyond coffee. Named after their grandmother, Café Graciela is deeply connected to giving back, partnering with organizations to support educational opportunities for youth in Colombia.

From the land where it’s grown to the people it reaches, everything they do is rooted in intention.🌱

If you’re looking to support a business with both quality and purpose, this is a great one to check out:
cafegraciela.com

04/16/2026

The Consumer Packaged Goods Accelerator is designed to support entrepreneurs as they grow, refine, and bring their products to market with more clarity and confidence. ✨

Through the program, Janice Jones of MyBreOndre’s Catering focused on strengthening her process around production and labeling while developing her homemade barbecue sauce. 🔥 Along the way, she gained a deeper understanding of her audience and how to ask the right questions to keep moving forward.

One of the most valuable parts of the experience was the hands on learning and connection with other entrepreneurs 🤝 From taste testing to shared conversations, it created space for new ideas, creativity, and real progress.

MyBreOndre’s Catering continues to build something meaningful here in Columbus with locally branded products made with care, including gluten free ingredients and no fructose syrups. 🌱

04/15/2026

There’s something really special about supporting a business that leads with intention.

Meet Fruits & Roots Coffee Roasters, a small batch coffee and tea company in Columbus, Ohio, founded by Nicky Reardon. Every bag of coffee and every blend of tea is rooted in real relationships—from the farmers they trust to the community they serve. It’s thoughtful, it’s personal, and it’s made to be shared.☕

During their time in our CPG Cohort, Nicky leaned into strengthening the full picture of the business—from sales and marketing to pricing and online experience. One of the biggest takeaways? The power of learning alongside other entrepreneurs and having honest, in-depth conversations about what it really takes to grow.🤝

With a new website launching soon and a continued focus on connection, Fruits & Roots is building something really meaningful—and it’s worth supporting.🌱

If you’re looking to shop small and support local, this is a great place to start:
fruitsandroots.com

04/14/2026

There’s something special about a business that brings people together through food. 🥖

Meet Braised and Broiled Bakeshop, founded by Joseph Goldman. From artisan breads to hands-on classes, their work blends nutrition, food science, and baking to create experiences that go beyond just what’s on the plate.

Through the CPG Cohort, Joseph focused on the bigger picture—strengthening business management and product pricing while building a more sustainable foundation for growth. One of the most meaningful parts of the experience was connecting with other small businesses in Columbus, leading to new relationships, opportunities, and ongoing support.

Big things are ahead, with a move into a new space this April that will allow for increased production and the ability to host their own culinary classes.

If you’re looking to support a local business that’s creating both great food and meaningful experiences, check them out:
braisedandbroiled.com

04/13/2026

Some businesses are rooted in more than just what they sell. They are rooted in how they help people live. 🌱

Grow to Eat, Eat to Live, LLC, founded by Latisa Lee, is a farm based food and education business focused on helping people take control of how they grow and eat. From fresh seedlings and seasonal produce to artisan foods and hands on gardening classes, everything is centered around building confidence, knowledge, and healthier communities.

Through the Consumer Packaged Goods Accelerator, Latisa focused on strengthening the foundation of her business, including pricing, compliance, and preparing her products for retail. The experience helped shift her mindset from selling at markets to building a more structured and scalable brand.

One of the most valuable parts of the journey was the access to practical resources and the opportunity to connect with other entrepreneurs navigating similar challenges. With support from the Food Fort, she was able to grow with more clarity and confidence.

From farm to table and beyond, Grow to Eat, Eat to Live continues to build something meaningful for the community. 🌾

If you are looking to support a business rooted in wellness, education, and sustainability, this is one to follow:
growtoeattolive.com

04/10/2026

Want an easy way to support small businesses AND your garden? 🌱

Order compost through GoZERO Services, Food Waste Compost Courier and select ECDI Food Fort as your pickup location.

✔ Made from local food scraps (including Food Fort businesses)
✔ Helps reduce waste
✔ Supports our space + entrepreneurs (we receive a portion of each order)

📍 737 Parkwood Ave
📅 April 20 or April 24 | 10 AM–2 PM

Order here: gozero.org/community-compost-pickup-point-program

04/09/2026

Some businesses sell products—others tell stories. 🍪

Meet Deez Cookies, founded by Khadija Adams. What started as a cookie business is really a storytelling operation, using creative recipes and high-quality ingredients to celebrate and educate through food.

Being part of the Food Fort has helped Deez Cookies grow both in capacity and efficiency—from streamlining production to collaborating with other small businesses on new flavors. And just as important, it’s created space to connect with other entrepreneurs and be reminded that the challenges of growing a business are something we all share.

They’ve got a fun season ahead, with custom flavors for events like the Jeni’s Land Grant Strawberry Jam and the Columbus Book Festival—some of their favorite moments each year.

If you’re looking to support a business that’s doing something truly unique, this is one to check out:
deezcookies.com