Creating a specialty food business

The Jacobs Family products in Gardnerville include essence (syrup), jams, and honey from bees working the farm.

The Jacobs Family products in Gardnerville include essence (syrup), jams, and honey from bees working the farm.

The booming artisanal food market provides farmers and chef entrepreneurs new opportunities to create profitable specialty food products and businesses.

The Western Nevada College Specialty Crop Institute offers ‘Creating a Specialty Food Business with Food from the Farm” workshop on Saturday, Oct. 17, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at WNC Carson City Campus.

Cost is $25 for those registering by October 10, and $35 afterward. Lunch is included, and seating is limited. The workshop includes a tour of the Italian Hearts processing facility in Gardnerville. Online registration is available at http://www.wnc.edu/ce/sci/.

From business planning to product development, the workshop will provide the foundation to build a successful business. It will explore concept feasibility, marketing strategies, packaging design, ways to access local food, processing options and more. Participants will also learn about food safety and state and FDA regulations. The workshop includes a question-and-answer panel session with successful local specialty food entrepreneurs.

Featured speaker Tim Sullivan is president of Sage Food Group, a consulting firm for the specialty food industry.

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