The Food Business Basics Class has been postponed. A new date will be posted soon.

Are you ready to take the next step in developing your food business, but need guidance from experts on how to move forward?
Our 2020 Food Business Basics Workshop (FIC South – Bridgeton, NJ) is a unique opportunity for early-stage food entrepreneurs, like yourself, to learn about developing and growing your business. As an attendee, you will be in front of those who are in-the-know about the food industry, with years of experience in business and product strategy, product development, packaging, food safety regulations and food law.
Our 1-day session will include presentations from business and technical experts, including an attorney, food scientists, a packaging expert, and trend and marketing experts.
The morning session will include an introduction to the Food Innovation Center at Rutgers University, entrepreneurship, food trends, marketing your food business, and business planning. In the afternoon, we’ll have presentations on product packaging, food law, product development, and food safety. In addition, tours of the FIC South will be available to provide further information on our capabilities.
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Following the morning and afternoon presentations, you will have the opportunity to speak and network with experts directly. Get your questions answered and learn from people who are in-the-know!
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Tentative Agenda
Morning –
- Welcome/ Intro to FIC: Nolan Lewin, Acting Executive Director, FIC at Rutgers
- Entrepreneurship and Marketing: Diane Holtaway, Associate Director of Marketing & Business Development, FIC at Rutgers
- Business Planning: Bob Palumbo, Regional Director with NJ Small Business Development Centers
Afternoon –
- Food Business Law: Danielle DeFilippis, Esq, Trademark Attorney with Norris McLaughlin P.A. (Workshop Sponsor)
- Food Packaging and Design: Sioux Irvin, Owner / Principal with Conshohocken Color Corporation
- Research and Development: Julie Elmer, Associate Director of Food Technology, FIC at Rutgers (Bridgeton)
- Food Safety and Regulatory: Mellonie O’Neill, Senior Manager of QA Compliance & Training, FIC at Rutgers (Bridgeton)
- Wrap Up / Network / Facility Tours
Agenda
8:15am – 9:00am Registration
9:00am – 10:00am Continental Breakfast, Network
10:00am – 10:15am Welcome / Introduction to FIC: Nolan Lewin, Acting Executive Director, FIC at Rutgers
10:15am – 11:00am Entrepreneurship and Marketing: Diane Holtaway, Assoc. Director of Marketing & Business Development, FIC at Rutgers
11:00am – 12:00pm Business Planning: Bob Palumbo, Regional Director with NJ Small Business Development Centers
12:00pm – 1:00pm Lunch, Network (NJFPA, NJ Food Processors Association, Lunch Sponsor)
1:00pm – 1:30pm Food Business Law: Danielle DeFilippis, Esq, Trademark Attorney with Norris McLaughlin P.A. (Workshop Sponsor)
1:30pm – 2:00pm Food Packaging and Design: Sioux Irvin, Owner / Principal with Conshohocken Color Corporation
2:00pm – 2:30pm Research and Development: Julie Elmer, Associate Director of Food Technology, FIC at Rutgers (Bridgeton)
2:30pm – 3:00pm Food Safety and Regulatory: Mellonie O’Neill, Senior Manager of QA Compliance & Training, FIC at Rutgers (Bridgeton)
3:00pm – 4:30pm Wrap Up / Network / Facility Tours
Delaware Valley Packaging Group (Workshop Sponsor)
Throughout the day, you will network with presenters to build business relationships that will be invaluable to you and your business.
Date:
Time: 9:00AM – 4:30PM (Breakfast and Lunch will be provided)
Location: Food Innovation Center at Rutgers University (South), 450 E Broad Street, Bridgeton, NJ 08302
Now, what are you waiting for? Come join our jam-packed day of learning and networking.
Stay tuned for more information about the 2020 Food Business Basics Workshop. You can contact us by email at FIC@NJAES.rutgers.edu.
Thank You To Our Sponsors




About the Food Innovation Center @ Rutgers University
The Food Innovation Center @ Rutgers University (FIC) is a One-Stop Shop for U.S. and International Food and Beverage Businesses looking to accelerate in the U.S. market. A team of food industry veterans offer expertise in Business Development, Marketing, Marketing Research, R&D, Food Safety, Manufacturing and Sales. Our USDA and FDA inspected processing facilities provide over 50,000 sq. ft. of manufacturing, storage, laboratory/office/meeting space and training facilities supporting our ability to Learn – Innovate – Accelerate into the market.
FIC is a Center within the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station (NJAES) at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey.