Online Support for New England Food Entrepreneurs; New England Extension Food Safety Consortium

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New England Extension Food Safety Consortium; Universities of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont

This website is funded by a grant from the NE Extension Consortium.

NE Extension Consortium provides equal program opportunities without regard to race, age, sex or preference, creed, or disability (2004).

Thinking of Starting a Food Business

Starting or growing a food business is just like any other small business. Consider these questions as you develop your food product and business.

What is your reason for starting a food business?
What impact will a home-based business have on your life?
Do you have the necessary capital to fund this new business?
What are your strengths and where will you need help?
Will you need additional outside help?
What is your product?
Where will you make your product?
What local, state and federal regulations apply?
Where will you sell your product?
How will you promote your product?
How will you price your product?

Information and Resources

Source	Title	Description
Northeast Center for Food Entrepreneurship	Pros and Cons of Starting a Specialty Food Business and Steps to Start a Specialty Food Business	The food business start-up steps outlined include: the product, business planning, labels, market decisions, and production.
North Central Regional Extension Publication	Selling Food Products: A Business From Your Home (pdf)	Outlines what you need to consider when starting a food business with particular emphasis on food safety.
Rutgers Cooperative Extension	So You Want to be a Food Manufacturer…	Reviews the basics and includes a resource section of books, food industry directories and trade magazines.
Food Ventures (Nonprofit community development corporation to support specialty food producers in Southeast Ohio)	Food Industry Resources and Worksheets	A thorough guide to developing your product, preparing product for market, accessing markets, worksheets, and resources.
University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service	Food Product Development	Comprehensive guide featuring a step-by-step system and worksheets for developing food products.
Virginia State University Cooperative Extension	Starting a Food Processing Business	Outlines food business start-up steps from thinking about a business to product development, using a food processing facility and creating a professional image.
Western Massachusetts Food Processing Center	Complete Solutions for Food Producers and Entrepreneurs	Provides technical assistance, workshops and resources to help start or expand a food business.