FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
University of Maryland Extension Sponsors Food for Profit Class in Prince George's County on November 15, 2016
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?
CLINTON, OCTOBER 4, 2016 -  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 Race Track Rd, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772 on Tuesday, November 15, 2016 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 Information:
Food for Profit will meet from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm., on November 15, 2016 at the Prince George's Soil Conservation District, 5301 Race Track Rd, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772.  The tuition cost of $45 per person which includes all materials and lunch. 
 
Registration is through the University of Maryland Extension Eventbrite on-line system at  Food for Profit - UMD Extension, Prince George's County or by calling 301.868.8780.  For further information about workshop content, contact Kim Rush Lynch, Agriculture Marketing Specialist with University of Maryland Extension, Prince George's County at [email protected] , 301.868.8780. Pre-payment and registration are required for this workshop. Click here for details.


Other training dates in Maryland:
 

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
  • Rewards and Challenges of Food Business
    The challenges and advantages of owning a food related business.
  • Starting a Food Business in Maryland
    Learn the role that DHMH will have in your venture-a chance to talk about licensure and the inspection process.
  • Safe Food Handling
    How extra attention paid at a few specific points in your operation will save time for you, and improve the quality of your product.
  • Developing a Game Plan
    A business idea must be doable, marketable, and profitable. Your business plan will provide a forecast about the feasibility of your venture.
  • Start-up Support
    Business resources
  • Niche Marketing (Finding a Niche)
    Learn to accurately target your first and best customer; using the four P's of price, product, placement, and promotion.
  • Packaging your Product
    How to package, selecting functional containers that are pleasing to the consumer eye. Food labeling requirements are also covered.
  • Pricing your Product
    A discussion of good pricing formulas and strategies-and a chance to practice using the tools that ensure the price that you arrive at is right!
  • Share Your Next Steps! & General Questions (a short participant survey)

For a list of speakers and printable agenda, please click here. 
About University of Maryland Extension, Prince George's County
University of Maryland Extension (UME) is a statewide non-formal education system funded by federal, state, and local governments within the University of Maryland - College Park and the University of Maryland - Eastern Shore. Our mission is to support Maryland's agricultural industry; protect its valuable natural resources; enhance the well-being of families and individuals, both young and old; and foster the development of strong, stable communities.  The Prince George's County office, partially supported by the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, serves the community from two locations including the main Extension office in Clinton and the Center for Educational Partnership in Riverdale. For more information, visit our website.


The University of Maryland Extension programs are open to all and will not discriminate against anyone because of race, age, sex, color, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, religion, ancestry, or national origin, marital status, genetic information, or political affiliation, or gender identity and expression.
 
Los programas del Colegio de Agricultura y Recursos Naturales de la Universidad de Maryland están abiertos a todos y no discriminará contra nadie debido a raza, edad, sexo, color, orientación sexual, discapacidad física o mental, religión, descendencia, origen nacional, estatus matrimonial, información genética, afiliación política, o identificación y expresión de género.

Media Contact
Name:  Kim Rush Lynch
Title:  Agriculture Marketing Specialist
Phone:   301.868. 9366
Email:   [email protected]

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The University of Maryland is an Equal Opportunity Employer and  Equal Access Programs