Classes, roundtables match food producers with processors

Chefs, farmers and foodies thinking of creating a new shelf-stable or value-added product might be interested in a new series of classes and roundtables.

The Washington State Department of Agriculture is hosting an intensive four-week series, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Oct. 23 through Nov. 13.

The idea is to bring together people who have ideas for new specialty products with food producers so they can share experiences and knowledge to help support each other. Another objective is to match small and midsized fruit and vegetable producers with food processors so they can work together to extend the farmers market season and both become more profitable and economically viable.

The workshops will cover the benefits of direct marketing for producers, opportunities for a new product, critical steps to take when developing a product, how to commercialize it, marketing and market research, food safety, where to find knowledge and experience, financing and co-packing opportunities.

The series of classes also will be offered on Wednesdays in Wenatchee, Oct. 24 through Nov. 14.

Register for the classes or get more details online at fall2012valueaddedseries. eventbrite.com. The cost for the series is $80 per person.

Fred Berman of the Washington State Department of Agriculture will host the classes. He can be reached at fberman@agr.wa.gov or (360) 656-5063.