Are you an entrepreneur developing new and exciting products? Do you have questions about ensuring the safety of your product? If so, this is the program for you!
Successful Food Product Development is a collaboration between UMass Amherst, URI, Commonwealth Kitchen, Western MA Food Processing Center, The MA Ag Innovation Center, and CISA. This virtual program is designed to specifically address food product development and food safety issues faced by small processors.
This course introduces food safety and important considerations when developing a new food product. This virtual, live, and interactive course will address the key attributes of formulating a product from concept to commercialization. You will learn about the food science basics, key elements required for product labeling, and an overview of key regulatory requirements for small and emerging food businesses, such as entrepreneurs and local food processors. Businesses that attend all sessions and complete all coureswork will receive the certificate of completion.
Details:
• This course consists of 4, 3-hour live Zoom sessions
• Live Zoom Session will be four consecutive Fridays starting May 17th until June 7th, 9am-12pm EST
Live Zoom Class Fridays, 9am-12pm
• May 17th: Course Introduction & Hazards in Food Manufacturing
• May 24th: Product Development Lifecycle & Controlling Food Quality and Safety
• May 31st: Labeling & Food Safety Management
• June 7th: Hazard Analysis &Preventive Controls
Commitment:
As a participant in the session, you are committed to:
• Review the program slide materials ahead of time. The content will be issued to you electronically. Zoom meeting information will also be included in the registration confirmation.
• Be present, engaged, and share webcam feed for the entirety during the live class.
• Complete the program evaluations to provide critical feedback about the program.
Partners:
• UMass Amherst
• URI
• Commonwealth Kitchen
• Western MA Food Processing Center at Franklin County Community Kitchen
• The MA Ag Innovation Center
• CISA
Instructors:
• Amanda Kinchla, Extension Professor/Food Safety Extension Specialist, UMASS Amherst
• Nicole Richard, Adjunct Associate Professor, The University of Rhode Island
• Kate Minifie, Food Entrepreneurship Program Manager, Western MA Food Processing Center at the Franklin County Community kitchen
• Ploy Khunisorn, Former Director of Educational Programming, Commonwealth Kitchen
Registration Fee: This program will be offered at a reduced cost of $200 per person. We do not want finances to be a barrier to attendance and CommonWealth Kitchen offers sliding scale pricing to ensure anyone can attend. Please contact nick@commonwealthkitchen.org for more information.
Registration Deadline: Monday, May13th, 2024
Contact's name:
Nick Schonberger, Senior Entrepreneurship Program Manager, CommonWealth Kitchen
Contact's email:
Nick@commonwealthkitchen.org
About CommonWealth Kitchen
At CommonWealth Kitchen, we believe in the power of inclusive entrepreneurship to change the world. The business leaders that make up our network—predominantly BIPOC and women-owned enterprises—bring the passion, talent, and love for their craft. We provide some of the support they have not traditionally had access to, like our shared kitchen and manufacturing space, specialized equipment, best practices, and valuable connections. We are coaches, mentors, and advocates for those whose power has been unrecognized. Since 2009, we’ve helped to launch more than 150 diverse food businesses, creating over 500 new permanent jobs, and generating over $65 million annually in combined gross revenue.
