Have you ever been told that your favorite homemade bread, or salsa, is “good enough to sell?” Do you have additional fruit or vegetables from your farm or home garden that you would like to make into a commercial product?

Food for Profit is a one-day workshop designed to help you work through the maze of local and state regulations, food safety issues, and business management concepts that all must be considered in setting up a commercial food business. The course will be held at the Prince George's Soil Conservation District. 5301 Marlboro, Race Track Rd, Upper Marlboro, MD on Tuesday, April 9, 2019 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. This session of Penn State Extension’s popular course has been specifically adapted to Maryland’s food production regulations, food entrepreneurial resources, and marketing opportunities.

HOW CAN FOOD FOR PROFIT HELP ME?

Food for Profit will take you step-by-step through the entrepreneurial process. It will provide you with the information and skills to assess if your idea will be something that will sell at a profit. Conducting a feasibility study (to see if yours is a good business idea), performing marketing research, and beginning to draft a business plan are a few of the concrete tools taught by certified instructors and business experts. By attending this class, you can learn how to evaluate the opportunities on paper before you look for funding or take action (saving money and time).

REGISTRATION (Registration deadline - Monday, April 1, 2019)
Registration for Food for Profit, is $55.00 (includes all materials and lunch)

To pay by credit card:use the online form above
To register by check go to: Click here...
Mail in registration must be postmarked on or before Monday, April 1, 2019.
Mail your check payable to UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND along with registration form to:
University of Maryland
c/o Susan Barnes
18330 Keedysville Road
Keedysville, Maryland 21756-1104
301-432-2767 X301

AGENDA TOPICS:

Guiding food entrepreneurs through the initial steps to start a business, this class combines
educational presentations, guest speakers and a highly interactive learning environment to address:

• Welcome & Introductions
  
  
• Getting Started
  A discussion of the challenges and advantages of owning a food related business.
  
  
• Legally Speaking
  Learn the role that municipal and state sanitarians will have in your venture–a chance to talk about licensure and the inspection process.
  
  
• Developing a Game Plan
  Your business idea must be doable, marketable, and profitable to provide a reliable forecast about the
  feasibility of your business.
  
  
• Niche Marketing
  The importance of accurately targeting your “first and best customer”; using the four P”s of price, product, placement, and promotion.
  
  
• Safe Food Handling
  Appropriate food preparation and storage methods lengthen shelf life and lessen liability. The extra attention paid at a few specific points in your operation will save time for you and improve product quality.
  
  
• Packaging Your Product
  Selecting the right packaging—materials, labels, and the information provided—can make or break your products future in the marketplace.
  
  
• Financing Your Business
  It takes money to make money! A discussion about self-financing, loans, and grants. Also covered is revenue generation though effective pricing.
  
  
• Share Your Next Steps! & General Questions (a short participant survey)

FOR MORE INFORMATION

For program information or if you require special assistance to participate in this program please contact Ginger Myers at (301) 432-2767 x338 or e-mail gsmyers@umd.edu.

INCLEMENT WEATHER
Please check your email 24hrs. prior to workshop in case of inclement weather.