This content was published: August 31, 2007. Phone numbers, email addresses, and other information may have changed.
Class helps students get recipes to market
Photos and story by James Hill
An innovative class to help budding food entrepreneurs develop, promote and package their products for market is gearing up for its third season.
The class, “Getting Your Recipe to Market,” starts at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 11, at the Food Innovation Center, 1207 N.W. Naito Parkway, Suite 154. The 13-week, Tuesday evening program features the expertise of Portland Community College’s Small Business Development Center (SBDC), the Food Innovation Center (FIC) of Oregon State University and support from New Seasons Market grocery store. Students are given concentrated training in areas such as product development, sales, marketing, financing, accounting, manufacturing, distribution, human resources and food safety.
The partnership offers 13 sessions led by SBDC and FIC experts as well as 10 hours of one-on-one small business counseling with SBDC advisers. Offered two times per year, the program also awards a $2,000 scholarship and shelf space at New Seasons Market, a program sponsor. At the final class, a panel of experts judges presentations and selects a winner. The presentation helps students focus on the pitch they will need to perfect as they build up a business.
Kirsten and Susie Hazlett, sisters who started the company Quality Vegan, are graduates of the spring class and New Seasons scholarship winners. Kirsten Hazlett says the class gave them a sense of direction and information on how to take their products to the next level.
“The SBDC and FIC are amazing,” said Hazlett. “It is a confidence builder and a time saver – a resource that any new or established entrepreneur wants to get into.”
Individuals interested in enrolling in the class can contact Uri Kushner at urikush@msn.com, or call the SBDC for more information at (503) 978-5080.
About James Hill
James G. Hill, an award-winning journalist and public relations writer, is the Director of Public Relations at Portland Community College. A graduate of Portland State University, James has worked as a section editor for the Newberg Graphic... more »