Specialty food meeting puts entrepreneurs on the right path
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - People that have a hunger to start a specialty food business can attend an introductory workshop about how to be a successful business owner and operator.
The workshop will be from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. EST Oct. 8 at the Allen County office of Purdue University Extension. Workshop sessions will include topics such as organics, processing and packaging, food safety, and regulation.
"We want the participants to understand what steps they need to go through to start a successful business," said Maria Marshall, Purdue Extension small business development specialist.
Sharon Farrell of the Indiana State Department of Health will talk about the importance of food regulation. Rules varying depending on the product. Attendees will learn about regulatory agencies and how they work.
The food safety session will focus on bacteria that cause food-borne illnesses and what ingredients could be potentially hazardous if handled incorrectly.
The marketing session will provide valuable information as well, Marshall said.
"The food industry is very competitive, and participants need to understand what their target market is and how to position their product for that market," Marshall said. "We want to help each participant start a viable business, and to do that they have to understand the importance of marketing."
Participants will receive a binder with information and resources on workshop topics and related industry issues.
Registration is $100 per participant and includes the binder, lunch and refreshments. Registration deadline is Oct. 1. For more information and a registration form, visit https://www.agecon.purdue.edu/newventures/Pubs/
EntrepBroch10.09.pdf, or contact Marshall at 765-494-4268, mimarsha@purdue.edu
The Allen County Extension Office is located at 4001 Crescent Ave. in Fort Wayne.
Meeting sponsors include Purdue University's departments of Agricultural Economics and Food Science, Allen County Extension, Southeastern Indiana Small Business Development Center, and the Indiana State Department of Health.
Writer: Sayde Rayburn, 765-494-8402, srayburn@purdue.edu
Source: Maria Marshall, 765-494-4268, mimarsha@purdue.edu
Ag Communications: (765) 494-8415;
Steve Leer, sleer@purdue.edu