Food Fort Columbus

09/22/2025

Want to take your idea to the shelf? We can help!🚀

The Consumer Packaged Goods Cohort is a 6-week, hands-on program for Columbus-based entrepreneurs ready to take the next step.

📅 Program Dates: Oct. 2 – Nov. 13 (Thursdays, 6–8 PM)
📍 Location: ECDI, 1655 Old Leonard Ave, Columbus, OH
⏰ Application Deadline: Friday, September 26

👉 Limited spots available — apply now: foodfortohio.com/cohort

Thank you J Mitchell's Spices & Sauces for sharing your experience as a past CPG Cohort participant! 👨‍🍳

09/21/2025

Don’t just dream it—launch it!🚀

The 6-week Consumer Packaged Goods Cohort starts Oct. 2 at ECDI Food Fort.

⚡ Only 8 spots available — apply by Sept. 26 to secure yours!
👉 foodfortohio.com/cohort
Special thanks to Accelerate Columbus (Columbus Chamber of Commerce) and Common Greens for making this possible!

09/20/2025

“ECDI’s cohort has helped me gain a better understanding of the business side of things… It also connected me with other local entrepreneurs, and learning from their experiences has been incredibly valuable.” – Doris Bozzi, Local Millers- Regenerative Grains, Stone Ground Flours

The Consumer Packaged Goods Cohort helps Columbus food entrepreneurs take their products 🍪☕🍫 from recipe ➡️ revenue. Over 6 weeks, you’ll build a stronger business foundation, learn to price & brand your product, and connect with fellow makers.

⚡ Only 8 spots available — don’t miss this chance!
⏰ Apply by Friday, Sept. 26 👉 foodfortohio.com/cohort

09/18/2025

For Columbus entrepreneurs, opportunities like this don’t come around often.👩‍🍳

The Consumer Packaged Goods Cohort is a 6-week, hands-on program that helps you take your product further — from building your business foundation to preparing for real growth in grocery stores and beyond.🏪

Just ask Nora De Arco of Café Graciela, who shared how the cohort gave her the realistic and professional guidance needed to make expanding into local and national grocery stores more accessible.🤝

➡️ This is a limited-time opportunity — only 8 spots available!
⏰ Apply by Friday, Sept. 26: foodfortohio.com/cohort

09/18/2025

It’s harvest time at ECDI! 🌱

That means our FREE Farm Stand Fridays are back! Stop by our Community Garden to pick up fresh, local produce — completely free and grown with love for our neighborhood.

📅 Upcoming Dates (9:00 AM – 12:00 PM):
✔️ September 19
✔️ October 3
✔️ October 17

📍 1655 Old Leonard Ave, Columbus, OH 43219

Spread the word and come enjoy the season’s harvest! 🌻🥕🍅

09/17/2025

Ready to take your food brand to the next level?👩‍🍳

From pricing and branding to product demos and real feedback, the CPG Cohort gives you the skills and confidence to grow.

✨ 6 weeks. Expert guidance. A supportive community.
📅 Apply by Sept. 26: foodfortohio.com/cohort

09/16/2025

💡 “The CPG Cohort was an amazing opportunity to learn from experts and other entrepreneurs.” – Jack Moore, Black Cap Hot Sauce

Our Consumer Packaged Goods Cohort gives Columbus entrepreneurs the tools, community, and confidence to take their product from recipe to revenue.

⚡ Only 8 spots available — apply by Sept. 26: foodfortohio.com/cohort

09/15/2025

Have a great recipe and dream of seeing it on store shelves?📦

The 6-week CPG Cohort is designed to help Columbus food entrepreneurs build their business from the ground up.

⏰ Applications close Sept. 24 — only 8 spots available!
👉 Apply today: foodfortohio.com/cohort

09/04/2025

We’re proud to support small businesses like Café Graciela — a Columbus-based coffee company sourcing beans directly from their family farm in Colombia. ☕🌎

Through ECDI’s Food Fort, they gained access to a certified workspace that opened the door to new markets and events — helping them scale their operations by 200%.

This is what happens when entrepreneurs get the tools and space they need to grow. 💙

🎥 Watch their story: https://monkeylink.co/832162

Thanks for tuning in to our Small Business Spotlight series, where we showcase amazing ECDI clients from all across Ohio! As the nation’s leading SBA microle...

08/28/2025

💡 Quick Tip from the Food Fort!

Lucia from Underworld Feast reminds us that strong branding isn’t just about a logo—it’s about telling your story and connecting with your customers. 👩‍🍳✨

What’s your best business tip? Share it below ⬇️

08/27/2025

“Thanks to the Food Fort’s production facility, we were able to expand instead of scale back during the pandemic.” — John Lynch, The Rambling House

What started as a small loan to get off the ground has grown into a Columbus favorite. 🍋🥤

✨ From a neighborhood bar + music venue to a full-scale production facility
✨ From keg-only sales to a state-of-the-art bottling line producing 250+ cases a day
✨ From surviving the pandemic to thriving in South Franklinton’s Food Fort facility

With ECDI’s coaching, capital, and kitchen space, Rambling House turned challenges into opportunities. Today, their handcrafted sodas are not only a local staple but also paving the way for other beverage makers to scale.

We’re proud to stand beside John and his team as they continue to grow, innovate, and keep the fizz alive! 🥂

08/26/2025

🚨 Food Entrepreneurs — are you licensed to grow?

Getting the right licenses is one of the most important steps in building a food business, but it doesn’t have to be complicated. This Licensing Basics for Food Entrepreneurs workshop will give you the practical information you need to:

✔️ Identify which licenses your food business needs
✔️ Understand the health + safety requirements that protect you and your customers
✔️ Learn who to contact so you can start strong and stay compliant

📅 Tuesday, September 9
💻 Online – Free Workshop

Don’t miss this chance to set your food business up for long-term success.
👉 Register today: https://monkeylink.co/72868a

Learn the steps to license your food business, meet safety requirements, and stay compliant so you can grow with confidence.