Penny Brown Huber
Food Business Specialist
515-294-4417
pbhuber@iastate.edu
Small food cottage-based processing companies in Iowa can improve their entrepreneurial skills and learn basic food safety in their kitchen through in-class and Zoom learning sessions offered by the Small Farm Sustainability team with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.
The Small Food Processing Cohort is being organized by Penny Brown Huber, food business specialist with Farm, Food and Enterprise Development with ISU Extension and Outreach.
The 11-session course is intended for business owners in the beginning phases of selling cottage-based foods, whether selling from the home directly, online or at farmers markets.
“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 registration deadline is Sept. 20, but Brown Huber encourages early registrations because enrollment is capped at eight businesses.
Most sessions will be conducted by 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. The cost of enrollment covers everyone from the same business. Register online at https://go.iastate.edu/9HN6CA.
The class dates
Classes will be held on the following 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 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” are foods prepared in a residence that are not subject to licensing or inspection. As defined by the new Iowa legislation, “cottage foods” must meet all the following criteria: The food is prepared in a private residence; the food does not require temperature control to ensure safety; the food is sold directly from the producer to the consumer; and the food is properly labeled.
For more information, contact Penny Brown Huber at pbhuber@iastate.edu or 515-294-4417.
