RIL
2003 2
Starting a Specialty Food Business: A Resource Guide
3
Starting a Specialty Food Business: A Resource Guide
This project reflects our commitment to provide baseline
information to the consumer, to identify and collaborate with
the key agencies serving the consumer, to ensure a safe final
food product, while incorporating economic and community
development within Montana food systems.
The goal of the Starting a Specialty Food Business Video and
this accompanying Resource Guide is to provide a summary of
resources available to assist Montanans that are considering
starting a food-based business venture. Many resources are
available for persons wishing to turn an idea into a business.
However, the sheer numbers and variety of these resources can
be overwhelming. Generally, we would advise starting with local
contacts/resources and then moving on to state and federal
programs.
This guide is written for a broad audience that includes
first time business entrepreneurs, owners of recently developed
businesses, and people with a creative idea that are in the
information gathering stage. We have also included information
specific to Native American food producers.
The guide was developed as an accompaniment to the video,
but can be used individually.
T
HE

RESOURCE

GUIDE

IS

ORGANIZED

INTO

SIX

SECTIONS
:
Section I: Time and Money
Section II: Resources
Section III: Feasibility Study, Business Plan, and Marketing Plan
Section IV: Product Processing and Co-packing
Section V: Food Safety and Regulations
Section VI: Networking
An alphabetical index and master list, which contains contact information for all of
the resources listed, can be found on pages 6-11.
Please note that the guide is not a comprehensive list of resources, but rather a tool
to get you started and headed in the right direction.
Additional copies of the video and resource guide can be ordered through:
Montana State University Extension Publications, MSU, PO Box 172040, Bozeman,
MT 59717-2040, Phone (406) 994-3273, website http://www.montana.edu/publications
If you have questions/comments regarding the video or the resource guide, please
contact the MSU Extension Service Food and Nutrition Office.
Table of Contents
Time and Money ......................... 3
Resources.................................... 3
Feasibility Study, Business
Plan, and Marketing Plan........... 4
Product Processing and
Co-packing................................. 4
Food Safety and Regulations...... 5
Networking ................................. 5
Appendix A:
Federal
Government Resources .............. 6
Appendix B:
Statewide Indian
Organizations ............................. 7
Index: Alphabetical list of resources,
with contact information ........... 8 2
Starting a Specialty Food Business: A Resource Guide
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Starting a Specialty Food Business: A Resource Guide
1. Time and Money
Commitments
*
The following agencies can offer
information regarding time and monetary
commitments:
1. Montana Department of Agriculture-
Agriculture Marketing and Business
Development Bureau
2. Montana Department of Commerces
NxLeveL Entrepreneur Training
Program
3. Montana Small Business Development
Centers
4. Rural Development Centers
5. Network with other successful food
business owners/producers
6. Agriculture Marketing Service at USDA
2. Resources
*
Many resources are available to help
consumers make an informed decision and
then help them start their businesses. This
is a partial list.
1. Montana Department of Agriculture-
Agriculture Marketing and Business
Development Bureau
2. Montana State Extension Service and
your local Extension agent
3. Montana Manufacturing Extension
Center
*An alphabetical index and master list, which contains contact information for all of the
resources listed, can be found in the back of the guide.
4. Regional Food Systems and Eat Locally
agencies mentioned in the video
include:
a. Montana Cooperative Development
Center in Havre
b. Alternative Energy Resources
Organization (AERO)
c. Eastern Plains Rural Community
and Development
5. Montana Department of Health and
Human Services, Food and Consumer
Safety Section (State Sanitarian)
6. State and Local Health Departments
(state and local sanitarians, building
inspectors, etc.)
7. Montana Department of Livestock
(meat inspection)
8. Montanas Mission Mountain Market
and Cooperative Development in
Ronan
9. Intertribal Agriculture Council
10. Montana State University College of
Agriculture
11. Montana Department of Commerce
12. Secretary of States Office
13. Montana Department of Labor and
Industry-Weights and Measures
Bureau
14. Montana Small Business Development
Centers
15. Rural Development Centers
16. The Governors Office of Economic
Opportunity
17. Federal Government resources are
listed in Appendix A.
18. Montana Statewide Indian
organizations are listed in Appendix B. 4
Starting a Specialty Food Business: A Resource Guide
5
Starting a Specialty Food Business: A Resource Guide
3. Feasibility Study, Business
Plan and Marketing Plan
*
Information and assistance regarding
feasibility studies, business plans and
marketing plans can be found here.
Successful food businesses report that
production comprises 10 percent of their
time, while marketing requires 90 percent!
1. Montana Department of Agriculture-
Agriculture Marketing and Business
Development Bureau
2. Montanas Mission Mountain Market and
Cooperative Development in Ronan
3. Northwest Business Center
4. Small Business Administration
5. Montana Department of Commerces
NxLeveL Entrepreneur Training
Program
6. Intertribal Agriculture Council
7. Montana Small Business Development
Centers
8. Rural Development Centers
9. Cooperative and Business Development
Centers
10. Secretary of State-Business Services
Bureau
11. USDA Cooperative Development Center
12. The Governors Office of Economic
Opportunity
13. Innovative Marketing Solutions
4. Product Processing and Co-
packing
*
Regulations vary by county in Montana.
These contacts can assist you:
1. State and local health departments
(state and local sanitarians, building
inspectors, etc.)
2. Montana Department of Health and
Human Services, Food and Consumer
Safety Section (State Sanitarian)
3. Montana Department of Livestock (meat
inspection)
4. Montana Manufacturing Extension
Center
5. Indian Health Service and/or Tribal
sanitarians
6. Montana State Extension Service and
your local Extension agent
*An alphabetical index and master list, which contains contact information for all of the
resources listed, can be found in the back of the guide.
Food safety, package design and marketing are
all important aspects to consider when starting a
specialty food business. Photo courtesy Montana
Department of Agriculture 4
Starting a Specialty Food Business: A Resource Guide
5
Starting a Specialty Food Business: A Resource Guide
7. Co-packing agencies (included with the
resources in the master list under co-
packing)
a. Montanas Mission Mountain
Market and Cooperative
Development in Ronan
b. Montana Canneries in East Helena
c. Billings Food BankMontana
Harvest Kitchens
8. Food processing equipment and
packaging resources (a partial list is
included with the resources in the
master list under food processing
equipment and packaging)
5. Food Safety and
Regulations
*
These agencies can assist with food
safety regulations, facility standards and
licensing.
1. State and local health departments
(state and local sanitarians, building
inspectors, etc.)
2. Montana Department of Health and
Human Services, Food and Consumer
Safety Section (State Sanitarian)
3. Montana Department of Livestock (meat
inspection)
4. Indian Health Service and/or Tribal
sanitarians
5. Montana Department of Labor and
Industry-Weights and Measures Bureau
6. Federal government resources (see p. 6)
7. Product liability insurance (listed along
with resources in the master list under
product liability insurance, p. 11)
8. Montana State Extension Service and
your local Extension agent
6. Networking
*
Try to network with as many other
successful food producers/business owners
as you can.
1. Montana Department of Commerces
Made In Montana Program
2. Alternative Energy Resources
Organization (AERO)
3. Montanas Mission Mountain Market
and Cooperative Development in
Ronan
4. Montana State Extension Service and
your local Extension agent
5. Montana Department of Agriculture-
Agriculture Marketing and Business
Development Office
6. Local and state sanitarians
7. Food and trade
shows
8. Governors
Office of
Economic
Opportunity
9. Montana
Cooperative
Development
Center
10. Montana
Economic
Developers
Association
11. U.S. Small
Business Ad-
ministration
and Small Busi-
ness Develop-
ment Centers
*An alphabetical index and master list, which contains contact information for all of the
resources listed, can be found in the back of the guide.
You may want to consider using a community
ktichen or co-packing agency to process your
product. Photo courtesy Montana Depart-
ment of Agriculture. 6
Starting a Specialty Food Business: A Resource Guide
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Starting a Specialty Food Business: A Resource Guide
United States Department of Agriculture
(USDA)
http://www.usda.gov
Food Safety and Inspection Service
United States Department of Agriculture
Washington, D.C. 20250-3700
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/OA/consedu.htm
USDA Rural Development
http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/index.html
USDA Cooperative Develop