Learn about a home-based specialty food business

"How to Make a Living Working from Home with a Value-Added Specialty Food Business!" will be the topic of a meeting scheduled at the Weippe Discovery Center April 12 at 6:30 p.m.

Participants may expect to learn about:

• What are the three major markets for specialty foods and which one is best to target first -for easy sales
• How to choose a brand name - different from a company name!
• How to choose (and find) packaging to fit the target market!
• Categories of gourmet & specialty food products, and challenges and opportunities with each!
• Labeling requirements of the US FDA (Food & Drug Administration)
• How to sell products in stores across the US using commission sales reps!
• Wholesale vs. retail business models, including pricing and margins!
• What does a typical day looks like for a home-based food entrepreneur!
• Food safety and sanitation overview, including processing & production!
• Best options (and locations) for sourcing ingredients!
• Online business resources and e-commerce tips!

Malcolm Dell of Orofino makes a home-based living, with his wife Sandy, in the manufacture, wholesale distribution, and retail sales of specialty foods and personal care products will discuss their experiences. Now in their fifth year of business, the Dell's "Idaho Redneck" gourmet products are found in over 100 stores statewide. They also operate multiple web sites and ship via UPS, FedEx, & US Postal Service. Sandy Dell also represents 35 other gift and gourmet food companies, selling on commission to 250 Idaho retailers.

Sponsors of this event include: Clearwater County; Pierce-Weippe Chamber of Commerce; Weippe GEM Community Team; & Pierce GEM Community.

Attendance is free, but RSVP is required, to Chris Kuykendall, Clearwater County Economic Development Specialist, at: cceds@orofino-id.com or (208) 476-9829.