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CAIC Blog

Let’s Eat, CAIC: A Vibrant Summer Cheese Board
 Summer is officially here in the Delmarva region, and there are few things that pair better with sunny weather (and outdoor cocktails) than a local cheese board. Need some inspiration? In the latest installment of our “Let’s Eat, CAIC” series, which highlights different ways to use local products, CA...
June 24, 2024
FSMA Final Rule on Pre-Harvest Agricultural Water: What You Need to Know
 On May 8, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published a final rule that (per the agency) “revises certain pre-harvest agricultural water provisions for covered produce (other than sprouts) in Subpart E of the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule.” Confused by the latest r...
June 3, 2024
Let’s Eat, CAIC: Brunch-Ready Sweet and Savory Crepes
When it comes to brunch food, we all know it can be difficult to choose between a sweet dish and a savory one. But why not both? Look no further than the latest installment of our “Let’s Eat, CAIC” series, which highlights different ways to use local ingredients. This week, we’ll show you a recipe for...
May 29, 2024
How Could an Apprentice Help Your Farm?
In honor of Youth Apprenticeship Week, learn more about CAIC’s partners at the Maryland Apprenticeship Connector (MAC). Are you a Maryland farmer or value-added producer looking for additional hired help on your farm? Whether you’re in search of someone to work the register at farmers markets, someone...
May 7, 2024
Producer Spotlight: Meet Andrea Davis-Cetina of Quarter Acre Farm
Get to know Andrea Davis-Cetina! An organic farmer and value-added producer, she’ll be CAIC’s April 17 Producers Unveiled keynote speaker.Davis-Cetina is the founder and co-owner of Quarter Acre Farm, where she grows produce including organic garlic, peppers, tomatillos, heirloom tomatoes, and sweet p...
April 12, 2024
The Top Five Reasons to Attend Producers Unveiled 2024
Grab your (free) tickets! Registration is open for this year’s Producers Unveiled, scheduled for Wednesday, April 17. CAIC’s annual culminating event celebrates our extraordinary program attendees and alumni, allowing them to showcase their products and share their stories of success. It’s also a perf...
March 14, 2024

Press Room

Podcast

Scott Sanders’s PODCAST
Botanicals offer natural ingredients for herbal teas, body care products, natural products for your home and garden, and many other items for people looking for products that are free from man-made chemical ingredients. Natalie Beneventi grows many of the ingredients she uses in her Beneventi Botanica…
July 29, 2022
Podcast: Natalie Beneventi’s
Botanicals offer natural ingredients for herbal teas, body care products, natural products for your home and garden, and many other items for people looking for products that are free from man-made chemical ingredients. Natalie Beneventi grows many of the ingredients she uses in her Beneventi Botanica…
July 29, 2022
Podcast: LIZ DODSON
Kombucha has made its mark on the wellness world for several years. Now it is becoming popular with consumers at all levels…and it has made its way to bars, coffee houses, breweries, distilleries, and wineries. Liz Dodson, the Kombucha Lady, sits downwith Emiliano Espinosa and host Muphen Whitne…
June 29, 2022
Podcast: LAURIE SAVAGE
Savage Acres Farm produces several types of meats and cheeses in one of the remaining protected areas for agriculture and farming in Montgomery County, Maryland.Come discover Savage Acres Farm as Laurie Savage, host Muphen Whitney, and Emiliano Espinosa discuss all the products produced on the Farm an…
June 29, 2022
Podcast: CROPPERS’ AND SPIRULINA
Spirulina may hold one of the keys to food insufficiency. This green alga has shown remarkable results in many scientific studies, and NASA uses it for astronauts’ nutrition in space. Find out more about this nutritious – and delicious – gift from the sea and how Tom and Tina Cropper are growing it in…
June 29, 2022
Podcast: Tom and Tina Croppers’ Spirulina Project
April 20, 2022

MINI-GRANTs

Mini-Grants up to $5,000 are available for:
– Market Research and Validation of Target Market
– Customer Acquisition
– Product Development Initiatives
– Food Safety Classes
Eligibility
Value-added producers and companies with traction ($20,000 or more in yearly revenue) in Maryland and Delaware are eligible to apply for Mini-Grants. Participants may apply once for each of the categories. Applicants must demonstrate that they have a unique and differentiated product or service that incorporates an aspect of innovation or technology in its production, processing, distribution, or other element of the food supply system.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Award decisions will be made and funds will be available no later than three weeks following the receipt of a completed application.
Application Process
Applicants must submit Mini-Grant proposals by filling out the form at this link. Copy(ies) of quote(s), proposal(s), estimate(s), or any other supporting documents.

ACCESS TO SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS (SMES)

CAIC offers access to Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) who can offer authoritative advice based on their deep knowledge and experience in a specific area. See the ADVISORS page of this Web site to learn more about the SMEs who are available to CAIC participants.