Food Innovation Center Services The Food Innovation Center offers client companies integrated support in a full range of services that include:

Business Mentoring Services

The Rutgers Food Innovation Center provides services under a Business and Technical Mentoring Model.  By following the Business and Technical Mentoring Model the Food Innovation Center assesses a client’s needs and proposes a scope of work, providing ongoing advice and assistance and specific deliverables within a designated period of time.  Business and Technical Mentoring provides a client with professional, relevant and objective perspectives on ongoing day-to-day issues.  Our portfolio of services is outlined below. The Business and Technical Mentoring Program assesses each client’s needs and recommends a scope of work for achieving their business goals in a practical manner.  Clients are charged a rate of $100/hr for time spent on their project.

Management Strategy	Marketing and Sales Strategy
Business Plan Development	Strategic Analysis
Strategic Plan Development	Market Assessment
Organizational Structure	Marketing Analysis
Legal Structure	Marketing Plan Development
Crisis Management Planning	Distribution
Finance and Accounting Strategy	Pricing strategy
Bookkeeping Basics	International Trade Strategy
Funding Resources

Manufacturing and Operations

The Food Innovation Center’s processing facility meets all federal and state requirements for producing commercial food products under USDA and FDA regulations.  The facility can accommodate a wide array of products requiring:
Hot Processing: beverages, sauces, jamsjellies, soups/stews, hot fill entrees, condiments, etc.
Dry Processing: baked pies, breads, cookies, dehydrated products, like dried herbs, snack mixes, etc.
Cold Processing: fresh cut fruits and vegetables, salad mixes, etc.
Cold Assembly: products requiring a “clean room”

Manufacturing and Operations Services Include:
Production and Processing	Regulatory Assistance
Sourcing Raw Materials	Food Safety
Quality Assurance	Mock Auditing

Product Development Services

Product Development services encompass the breadth of tasks needed to bring a food idea into commercial production.    Product development services are customized to client needs and requirements.  Product development services may be implemented into the overall Business Mentoring program or can be selected independently. 

Product Development Services Include:
New Product Development	Label Development
Product Preparation & Handling Instructions	Sensory Evaluation
Package Development	Analytical Testing
Product Optimization/Expansion	Microbiological Testing
Production of Commercial Samples for Market Research and Test Market