The initiative to provide technical support to new food business entrepreneurs has generated numerous requests for assistance in such areas as determination of process times, shelf-life studies, and labeling issues.

     A comprehensive guide co-authored by Dr. Luke Howard and Dr. Pamela Brady, Starting a Food Processing Business, is offered for sale through the Cooperative Extension Service.  This guide provides individuals interested in starting a food processing business with information on such topics as regulations, safety, labeling, ingredients and packaging.  In addition, information is provided on financial aspects of starting a business and on marketing products.

     Other publications are also available to assist new and established food processors.  The free publication, Starting a Food Business, provides a brief introduction to the topics in the more comprehensive guide and serves as a starting point for establishing a new processing business.  Other IFSE publications include fact sheets on such topics as acidified foods and processing herbal foods.  An Institute newsletter, published quarterly, is an excellent resource on trends in the industry and activities within IFSE.