More help is being rolled out for Northumberland entrepreneurs and food and beverage startups locally.
The free education sessions are being made possible through a new partnership between the Business and Entrepreneurship Centre Northumberland, the Ontario Agri-Food Venture Centre and the Foodpreneur Advantage Program.
“The food and beverage sector is a vital contributor to Northumberland’s economy,” says Rob Day, the county’s manager of economic development, adding the OAFVC and BECN also play important roles in supporting business growth through targeted programs and services such as this new one.
The Foodpreneur Advantage program is described as specialized training designed for individuals looking to start food or beverage manufacturing business producing consumer package goods.
The program, which started mid-April and continues with sessions until the end of May, also has quite the scope, notes Day.
“These are all the key questions that entrepreneurs have,” adds Day, noting this new initiative is also a proven program.
Ultimately, Day says this is about helping local foodpreneurs be the best they can be despite economic challenges and other pressures in today’s climate.
The OAFVC is another resource and often serves as the next natural step for entrepreneurs once looking to expand beyond a local kitchen. Since 2015, Day notes the centre has helped more than 400 clients from across Ontario, making it one of the only locations of its kind in the province.
Just last year alone, about 85 reported businesses accessed the centre for food-safe production space and storage, streamlined shipping and to build industry connections, producing more than $4 million worth of goods onsite.
The training sessions are held virtually on Thursdays at 10 a.m. Registration is required for each session, but all courses are free. You can get the full list and details here.
(Written by: Sarah Hyatt)
