MISSISSIPPI STATE – New owners of food businesses can take part in an upcoming workshop to help improve their odds of success, even during the current economic challenges.

“Food as a Business” is a day-long video conference Oct. 4 with satellite locations at Mississippi State University, Hattiesburg, Raymond, Verona and Cleveland. The $40 registration fee covers snacks during breaks, lunch and conference materials. The registration deadline is Sept. 23.

Topics to be covered include business plans, legal issues, marketing, Internet sales, food processing and labeling regulations, funding sources, and product costing and pricing. Speakers will address how to work with retailers and the “Make Mine Mississippi” program. During lunch, several speakers will tell of their experiences starting food processing businesses.

Anna Hood, MSU Extension professor, said the conference is for anyone considering owning and operating a food processing business.

“Participants can learn firsthand what is required for basic start-up in a food manufacturing or wholesale distribution business,” she said.

Go to http://www.fsnhp.msstate.edu/ for additional information and a registration form.

The workshop is sponsored by MSU’s Extension Service; MSU’s Department of Food Science, Nutrition and Health Promotion; the Small Business Development Center at MSU; and the Mississippi Development Authority’s Entrepreneur Center.