Several food events coming up soon

Hello, all! There are several food events coming up in the next few days you may be interested in, and I didn’t want to wait until Sunday night to send them to you.

First, there is a new 2-day workshop to help food entrepreneurs in Georgia learn what they need to know to put a food product into the marketplace. Participants will receive training in what they need to do to produce a safe product, options in processing and packaging, how to find funding and how to write a food safety plan. They will also have the opportunity to ask questions and interact with experts from UGA Food Science Department and the Center for Agribusiness Development, the Georgia Center for Innovation in Agribusiness, Georgia Department of Agriculture, FDA and the food industry during each two-day workshop. There are two session being held in Athens:

• Tuesday & Wednesday, April 9-10, UGA, Athens (deadline to register is March 23)
• Tuesday & Wednesday, Sept. 24-25, UGA, Athens (deadline to register is Sept. 10)

The online registration site is https://estore.uga.edu/C21653_ustores/web/store_cat.jsp?CATID=205&STOREID=42 To register by check or money order, print and fill out the registration blank, then mail to the address on the form. These workshops are co-sponsored by the Center for Innovation in Agribusiness in Tifton (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Center-of-Innovation-for-Agribusiness/41061818742). Lunches and the workshop notebook will be provided.

Integrating Food Systems and Community Development: Steve Nygren, founder of South Fulton County eco-community Serenbe, will talk about how including farmers and farms into a residential setting helps build stronger, healthier communities. He’ll also be talking about his inspiration for Serenbe, the hurdles he had to overcome to found the community and the benefits community members have seen. Free, no registration required. For more information about Serenbe visit www.serenbecommunity.com. For more information about the talk visit www.thinc.uga.edu or email jmerritt@uga.edu 6:30 p.m. , Monday March 25, Miller Learning Center UGA, Rm. 102

Starting Your Own Food Business: A panel discussion by the creators of King of Pops, High Road Craft Ice and Sorbet and others about what it takes to turn your favorite recipes into a successful food business. They’ll cover everything from navigating the regulatory landscape to growing your brand. Free, no registration required. 1 to 2 p.m. Monday March 25th, Tate Center Theater. Part of Thinc Week at UGA. For more information about Thinc Week visit www.thinc.uga.edu.

Thanks, and I’ll see many of you today at Ben’s Bikes!