The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) BioPreferred program promotes the use of ecologically-friendly, bio-based materials as a replacement for those materials made from petroleum and other non-renewable resources.

In mid-October, more than 500 new items were approved, bringing the total to more than 5,000 products listed in the USDA’s BioPreferred procurement program catalog.

The Northwest Ohio Green Products Center (NOGPC), a collaborative effort created by the Center for Innovative Food Technology (CIFT), continues to play a key role in bringing some of these 5,000 products to fruition. NOGPC provides resources, technical assistance and business expertise to regional entrepreneurs or established manufacturers who produce or plan to produce green or bio-based products – with the goal to receive approval for federal and state procurement.

Bio-based products are composed, in whole or significant part, from renewable plant or animal materials, and range from adhesives and construction materials to paints and fuel additives. There are a variety of reasons for producing and using green products, such as enhancing energy security by reducing dependence on fossil fuels (particularly imported oil) and providing a cleaner environment, among others.

For more information about NOGPC, contact Jim Matzinger, program coordinator, CIFT, at 419-535-6000, ext. 111 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . To view the online USDA BioPreferred procurement program catalog, visit www.biopreferred.gov/catalog.aspx.

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