In my previous job, I was involved in research and development at a food company. During my years at Abbott Nutrition, I was part of several different product development teams.
We were a regular, Clark W. Griswolds, working on all kinds of products. However, I have never personally worked with cereal varnishes that have no nutritional value. We had one goal in mind for him. It's about launching successful products that meet customer needs.
Now, the previous world and the current world have collided. We are in the middle of launching a new product. But this time it's not about food. This is an educational product about starting a food business. This past year has been a labor of love for him, along with his five other dedicated professionals at Ohio State University Extension.
Food Business Central is an online, self-paced course that equips food entrepreneurs with the knowledge and strategies to build a successful farm-grown or home-based food business in Ohio.
It is designed for people who want to start a business in the production and sale of packaged foods. Whether you're a farmer looking for an opportunity to add value to the crops you grow or the livestock you raise, or a baker ready to sell your homemade baked goods, you can create value-added foods using local produce. Even if you're an entrepreneur looking to make your own, this course will help guide you.
Navigating food regulations, establishing new businesses, and applying best practices for food safety can be a challenge for food entrepreneurs. This course is designed to serve as a centralized hub to connect you with information and resources for any type of food you want to make and sell.
Most new food and beverage products fail within a year of their launch in grocery stores. Depending on the source of data collection and analysis, failure rates vary from 50% to over 85%. These statistics may be scary, but with thoughtful planning, you can set yourself on a better path to success.
Throughout the course, participants will create a business action plan. It includes important questions to consider and actions to take on the journey to starting a food business. This action plan provides the answers food entrepreneurs need to complete their business plan with assistance from their local small business development center. Upon completing the course, participants will receive a certificate of completion. The course costs $25 and registration is available at go.osu.edu/foodbusinesscentral.
This new online course is the result of a grant received through North Central Extension Risk Management Education. They fund projects that help farmers and ranchers effectively manage operational risks. It is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture through the National Institute of Food and Agriculture. The total amount of the grant was $37,000, approximately 40% of which went directly to Coshocton County OSU Extension for me to guide the development and efforts of this course.
If you would like to learn more about selling cottage food, meat, and eggs at the Coshocton Farmers Market or another location like your farm, please attend one of our upcoming local in-person workshops. The Cottage Food Sales Workshop will be held March 14 at 6:30 p.m. in Room 145, Coshocton County Services Building, 724 S. Seventh St. The Meat and Egg Sales Workshop will be held on March 19th at 6:30pm in County Services Room B100. building. To register for a free class, call your local extension office at 740-622-2265.
Today, I would like to share with you these words from Nido Qubein. They simply determine where to start. ”
Emily Marrison is an OSU Extension Family & Consumer Sciences educator and can be reached at 740-622-2265.
