Overview:
As part of an ongoing effort to support and educate food entrepreneurs, UMass Food Science Extension is hosting an intensive, one-day product development short course at Mad River Food Hub, in Waitsfield VT. This food safety and development course has been incredibly well received among aspiring food processors in Massachusetts, and we’re very excited to be able to offer the course for the first time in Vermont. Many food entrepreneurs have a great recipe or idea for a food product but lack the experience or skills to craft a viable commercial product. This course is intended as an overview of every aspect of product development, from the initial planning phase, to food safety and packaging, and includes the following topics:
- The product development process cycle for creating a new food product
- Principles of food safety and risk management
- HACCP plan requirements and/or low-acid & acidified certification
- Financial/Business considerations
- Determining formula, process and packaging for a safe food system
- Process validation requirements
- Label regulations, product claims, ingredient statements and nutrition facts
- Operational capabilities and quality controls
Instructors:
This course is led by food safety specialists Amanda Kinchla from UMass Amherst and Lori Pivarnik and Nicole Richard from the University of Rhode Island
Cost:
This one-day class costs $149, which includes breakfast and lunch from local artisanal food makers
About Mad River Food Hub:
Founded in 2011, the Mad River Food Hub provides solutions for local food entrepreneurs eager to bring their products into Vermont’s vibrant food scene. The food hub offers USDA inspected processing space and equipment, dry, cold, and frozen storage, and distribution within the state of Vermont. Their mission is to support and encourage the local food economy of the area through their access to many resources
