Food Processing Center offers Seminar for Food Business Entrepreneurs

LINCOLN, Neb. — Food manufacturing businesses continue to develop throughout the country. The Food Processing Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln provides the nationally recognized Food Entrepreneur Assistance Program, which is specifically designed to assist individuals who want to start a food business.

Tina Burnham of Lee's Summit, Mo., recently completed the program and is successfully selling her beer cheese chip and vegetable dip in her area. 

"The University of Nebraska Food Processing Center has been instrumental in supporting me as I worked through bringing Burnham Foods Beer Cheese to market.  They provided feedback and guided me every step of the way.  When I began meeting with manufacturers, distributors and customers, I was prepared," Burnham said.

The program consists of two phases. The first phase is the Recipe to Reality seminar, which helps attendees understand how the food industry works, the challenges they will encounter and the decisions they should make before starting a business. Following the seminar attendees may choose to enter the second phase, Product to Profit. During this phase attendees receive individualized assistance through all the steps of starting their food business.

"The program was started by the Food Processing Center in 1989.  Since that time over 2,000 individuals have attended the Recipe to Reality Seminar," explained Jill Gifford, program manager.

"Recipe to Reality" seminars are offered throughout the year.  Remaining 2013 seminars will be conducted on Aug. 16 and Oct. 26. Pre-registration is required. To register for an upcoming seminar or to receive an information packet, contact Gifford at: Food Processing Center, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 143 Filley Hall, Lincoln, Neb., 68583-0928; phone 402-472-2819; email, jgifford1@unl.edu, or check out details on the Web at http://www.fpc.unl.edu.