October 13, 2004

Purdue Extension workshop helps food entrepreneurs

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service will hold a workshop in Highland, Ind., on Nov. 19 for entrepreneurs interested in starting a specialty food business in Indiana.

The event, which will take place at the Northwest Indiana Small Business Development Center, at 2646 Highway Ave., was developed to serve as a comprehensive overview of the issues associated with starting a specialty-food business.

"The workshop will benefit anyone interested in starting a food business but doesn't quite know how to get started," said Maria Marshall, a Purdue Extension specialist who is also the director of the Food Entrepreneurship Program.

She said a basic understanding of marketing is fundamental to the success of all food entrepreneurs.

Experts from around the state will discuss business planning, product and process development, and packaging.

Marshall will talk about marketing, and Shirley Vargas, a supervisor from the Indiana State Department of Health, will speak about regulations. Sue Anderson from the Northwest Indiana Small Business Development Center will talk about business planning, and Laura Bix from Michigan State University will cover packaging considerations for specialty foods.

De Bush, Purdue Extension assistant who helped organize the workshop, said there also will be question-and-answer periods as well as an opportunity to speak with the presenters.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Indiana Small Business Development Center and Office of the Commissioner of Agriculture are co-sponsoring the event with Purdue Extension. Cost to attend is $75 and includes an information binder, refreshments and lunch.

Registration is required before Nov. 12. To register, mail a check or money order made payable to Purdue University to Carolyn Hunst at 403 W. State St, West Lafayette, IN 47907. Registrations should include name, address, phone number, e-mail and fax number. A copy of the registration brochure is available online.

Writer: Kay Hagen, (765) 494-6682, kjh@purdue.edu

Sources: Maria Marshall, (765) 494-4268, mimarsha@purdue.edu

De Bush, (765) 496-1805, djbush@purdue.edu

Ag Communications: (765) 494-2722; Beth Forbes, forbes@purdue.edu
Agriculture News Page

To the News Service home page