March 7, 2005

Purdue Extension program helps entrepreneurs get cooking

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service will hold a workshop on April 22 in Indianapolis for entrepreneurs interested in starting a specialty food business in Indiana.

The event will take place from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Indiana Farm Bureau Building, 225 S. East St. Experts from around the state will discuss marketing; business planning; product and process development; and food ingredients, regulations and safety.

"The workshop is a great chance for entrepreneurs to network and get some tips on how to get started in the food business," said Maria Marshall, a Purdue Extension specialist who also is director of the Food Entrepreneurship Program.

During the workshop, Marshall will discuss marketing.

"Without marketing, nobody knows you a have a product," she said. "Marketing isn't just advertising. It involves everything from processing and packaging to advertising."

Shirley Vargas, a supervisor from the Indiana State Department of Health, will speak about food regulations. Linda Wood, of the Southeast Indiana Small Business Development Center, will talk about business planning, and Michigan State University's Laura Bix will cover packaging considerations for specialty foods.

There also will be question-and-answer periods and an opportunity to speak with presenters.

The Indiana State Department of Health, Indiana Small Business Development Center and Indiana Farm Bureau are co-sponsoring the workshop with Purdue Extension. Cost to attend is $75 and includes an information binder, refreshments and lunch.

Registration is required before April 15. To register, mail a check or money order made payable to Purdue University to Carolyn Hunst, 403 W. State St., West Lafayette, IN 47907. Registrations should include the participant's name, address, phone number, e-mail and fax number.

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
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