Starting a licensed food business

Diane Longanbach<longbach@msu.edu> -

Starting a licensed food business training will help you understand how to turn your food business idea into a successful commercial reality.

Michigan State University Extension and MSU Product Center Educator, Diane Longanbach, will conduct a food business planning class in both St. Louis and Frankenmuth for those interested in wholesale food sales. The class will deal with basic food processing, regulatory requirements, business development resources, and related topics. The program targets individuals interested in starting a licensed, commercial food business.

The following classes at the corresponding locations are planned for this fall:

Sept. 17, 6-8 p.m. at the St. Louis City Hall – Registration Deadline Sept. 14

Oct. 9, 6-8 p.m. at the Frankenmuth Farmers Market – Registration Deadline Oct. 5

One tip that will be discussed in the class is a Product Sheet. Before businesses approach store buyers, it is advised that they create a product sheet that helps them tell their story. A product sheet should have an attractive 4-color glossy picture of your product(s) on one front and provide the business background, ingredients and nutrition facts on the back. On a separate handout, called a Pricing Sheet, provides the case quantity, pricing per case, and contact information for ordering the product.

The MSU Product Center, in partnership with Michigan State University Extension, provides business counseling for product development and marketing strategies that will help Michigan entrepreneurs commercialize high-value, consumer–responsive food products. For more information, visit the MSU Product Center website or call 517-432-8750.

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit https://extension.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit https://extension.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit https://extension.msu.edu/experts, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).

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  • packaging,
  • product,
  • product center,
  • vegetables,
  • wholesale
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