New food entrepreneurs focus of May 10 event in Springdale

Starting a food or beverage business is a dream for many entrepreneurs but knowing where to begin can be challenging

By JOHN LOVETT | University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture

Starting a food or beverage business is a dream for many entrepreneurs but knowing where to begin can be challenging, says Darryl Holliday, executive director for the Arkansas Food Innovation Center at The Market Center of the Ozarks.

The Food Entrepreneurship Summit will be held on May 10 at The Jones Center to help get people on the right track to starting their businesses. The free event is open to any current or future food business owner.

The Jones Center is located at 922 E. Emma Ave. in Springdale, across the street from the Market Center of the Ozarks, now under construction.

“A lot of people I have met say they would love to start a food company but do not know where to start,” Holliday said. “This event is a one-day walkthrough of the entire process of where to go and who can help you with that process.”

The Arkansas Food Innovation Center at The Market Center of the Ozarks, or AFIC@MCO for short, is affiliated with the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station, the research arm of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.

The event is co-organized by Kim Bryden, CEO and founder of Cureate, a woman-owned business development firm specializing in farm, food & beverage entrepreneurship education and local purchasing for anchor institutions.

Topics that will be covered at the summit include legal and food safety requirements for starting a food business, permits, costing and accounting, financing, marketing and manufacturing. Bryden said there are options for manufacturing that include contracting facilities like AFIC@MCO.

While fundamentals and practical guidance from experts are the focus of the day, Bryden noted there will be business networking opportunities with Northwest Arkansas Chambers of Commerce members throughout the day and over lunch, presented by Arvest.

Speakers and their topics include:

• Jacob Lively of The Lively Group on legal requirements.
• Lauren Handel of Handel Food Law LLC on food packaging, labeling and contracts
• Jeff Jackson of the Arkansas Department of Health on selling hot foods and packaged foods.
• Nick Johnston, assistant professor of hospitality management, on how to cost out a menu or product. Johnston is with the School of Human Environmental Sciences in the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences.
• University of Arkansas accounting professor Kris Allee on proper business accounting.
• Clint Lazenby and Tim Lindt of Traverse Group/Legacy Retail on the basic mechanics of merchandising.
• Darryl Holliday of AFIC@MCO on manufacturing vs. co-packing.

The day will end with a Market Center of the Ozarks tour.

For more information and to register please visit the Eventbrite page.