Released April 3, 2008

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- A workshop to assist participants on starting a specialty food business will be 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. April 24 at the Indiana Farm Bureau building in Indianapolis.

"This workshop was developed for people interested in developing a specialty food or food ingredient business," said Maria Marshall, Purdue University assistant professor of agricultural economics. "Participants could include small farmers interested in starting a business, homemakers, and current/former entrepreneurs. It will be good for anyone who would need a comprehensive overview of the topics to be covered with starting a new food business in Indiana."

This workshop will provide knowledge, contacts, and resources about starting a new food business through formal lectures and question-and-answer sessions, Marshall said.

Workshop sessions include marketing, business planning, organic products, food regulations, product and process development, and packaging.

Facilitators are Kevin Keener, Steve Smith and Marshall, all of Purdue; Shirley Vargas of the Indiana State Department of Health; and Linda Wood of Southeastern Indiana Small Business Development Center.

Keener, Purdue associate professor of food science, will discuss food safety and product development. Smith, Purdue pilot plant manager, will talk about process development and packaging. Marshall will speak about marketing, Vargas will discuss food regulations, and Wood will speak on business planning.

Registration is $75 a person and is due by April 17. The fee includes a three-ring binder of information, lunch and refreshments in the morning and afternoon.

Purdue departments of Agricultural Economics and Food Science, the Southeastern Indiana Small Business Development Center and the Indiana State Department of Heath are sponsors.

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http://news.uns.purdue.edu/x/2008a/080403MarshallFood.html

Contacts: Elizabeth Fritz, (765) 494-8402, elfritz@purdue.edu

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