Oklahoma State University - Robert M. Kerr Food & Agricultural Products Center
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FAPC's Basic Training reaches 500 participants
STILLWATER – The Food & Agricultural Products Center at Oklahoma State University has reached another milestone.
More than 500 participants have attended FAPC’s monthly workshop – Basic Training for Food Business Entrepreneurs – since the first workshop in July 1999.
This monthly workshop is designed to inform individuals about the basics of launching a food product into the market, said Chuck Willoughby, FAPC business planning and marketing specialist.
Topics covered include business planning, health regulations, product evaluation and marketing, labeling, patents and trademarks, and much more.
The workshop is held at FAPC on the third Thursday of each month. The fee is $75, which covers the cost of materials and lunch. FAPC limits each workshop to 16 people to encourage interaction between the participants and the presenters.
Of the 500 individuals attending, 40 new companies have launched their products into the market, Willoughby said.
“Forty companies might not sound like a lot, but when you consider the number of new product launches that fail in the food industry which is highly competitive, we consider it a real success that we have helped so many people make an informed decision not to take the risk,” Willoughby said. “Those that do take the risk, the FAPC has many great capabilities to help the entrepreneurs each step of the way.”
Individuals can find many of the products produced by the 40 Basic Training graduates at a local grocer, gourmet shop or even the state fairs in Oklahoma City and Tulsa.
“The FAPC would like to encourage everyone to buy made in Oklahoma products,” Willoughby said. “It’s good for you and good for Oklahoma!”
For more information or to register for the Basic Training workshop, visitwww.fapc.biz/basictraining or call (405) 744-6071.
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CONTACT:
Chuck Willoughby
Business Planning and Marketing Relations Manager
Robert M. Kerr Food & Agricultural Products Center
148 FAPC
Stillwater, OK 74078
Phone: 405-744-6071
Fax: 405-744-6313
E-Mail: chuck.willoughby@okstate.edu
Oklahoma State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture, State and Local Governments Cooperating. The Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to all eligible persons regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, disability, or status as a veteran, and is an equal opportunity employer.
