By Andi Anderson
Small food cottage-based processing companies in Iowa have a unique opportunity to enhance their entrepreneurial skills and learn essential food safety practices through a comprehensive training program offered by the Small Farm Sustainability team with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.
The Small Food Processing Cohort, organized by Penny Brown Huber, a food business specialist with Farm, Food, and Enterprise Development at ISU Extension and Outreach, aims to support business owners in the early stages of selling cottage-based foods.
Whether selling directly from home, online, or at farmers markets, this 11-session course is designed to meet their needs.
“We’re going to work on increasing business acumen, but mostly on helping participants to develop their marketing plan,” said Brown Huber. “The course will help them identify their products, how to label and promote those, how to place them for sale and much more.”
The program's registration deadline is September 20, but early registration is encouraged as enrollment is capped at eight businesses. Most sessions will be conducted via Zoom, with plans to hold the first, middle, and final sessions on campus.
Brown Huber will determine the speaker lineup once businesses begin to register. The cost to join the cohort is $300 per business, covering everyone from the same business. Interested participants can register online at ISU Registration Link.
Class Dates:
Sept. 28, 2024: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on campus
Oct. 3, 2024: 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Zoom
Oct. 19, 2024: 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Zoom
Nov. 7, 2024: 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Zoom
Nov. 23, 2024: 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Zoom
Dec. 12, 2024: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on campus
Jan. 16, 2025: 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Zoom
Jan. 30, 2025: 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Zoom
Feb. 15, 2025: 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Zoom
Feb. 27, 2025: 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Zoom
March 29, 2025: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on campus
Cottage foods, as defined by new Iowa legislation, are foods prepared in a private residence, not requiring temperature control to ensure safety, sold directly from the producer to the consumer, and properly labeled.
For more information, contact Penny Brown Huber at pbhuber@iastate.edu or 515-294-4417. This training program is an excellent opportunity for small food processors to enhance their skills, improve product quality, and ensure food safety.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-valentinrussanov
Categories: Iowa, Rural Lifestyle