Grow Your Business!
In partnership with the Small Scale Food Processor Association (SSFPA) and delivered by the Farm Food Drink team of specialists, the Food Processor Business Planning Workshop is a two day, nine module workshop series. This series is designed for micro, small, and medium size food processors looking to improve and/or expand their operations, and farmers looking for value-added products. Funding is provided by the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative.
Key Takeaways
Here’s what you can expect:
2-day workshop designed to help small and medium-sized food processors planning to expand and improve their business, and farmers developing value-added products
9 module program
A comprehensive planning binder with tabs/sections for each module
A comprehensive document library including regulatory and operational templates
A mentoring and check-in event to foster collaboration and connection
Overview
Presented by Farm Food Drink—this series is an interactive program designed to guide you towards a practical plan and effective, successful implementation. We provide guidance, expertise, and the tools/ templates that you can use to not only prepare for the next stage of your business but to help you decide what you can accomplish on your own and what you need professional help to implement.
This series will be presented in 6 different communities throughout British Columbia with the help of Community Partners. It includes modules on the following:
- Business Planning: Crafting a plan that works from start to finish.
- Marketing: Identify, research, and target a niche to maximize sales.
- Product Development: Scaling up recipes for commercial production and develop new products to meet customer needs.
- Food Safety: Streamlining operations to make a safe and consistent product.
- Labels & Packaging: Balancing attractive design with food protection and regulatory standards.
- Production Economics Gauging the cost of production, operations, and co-packing.
- Financial Management: Understanding financial statements and make confident decisions.
- Sales & Logistics: Basics of procurement, receiving, storage, shipping, and timing.
- Support & Funding: Resources and networking opportunities in your region.
2 Day Workshop
Typically 9am to 4pm, this first day will cover:
- Business Planning
- Marketing
- Product Development
- Food Safety
- Labels & Packaging
Typically 9am to 4pm, this first day will cover:
- Production Economics
- Financial Management
- Sales & Logistics
- Support & Funding
As an addition to the program we will be hosting a 2 session, virtual mentoring and check-in event following the completion of the workshops series. All workshop participants will be invited so that they can connect, mentor, and discuss their experiences (barriers/opportunities) with the workshop, their business, and more.
We will be seeking input from participants beforehand to establish a theme or topic point that would better support their end goals, in order to provide focus to the discussions and mentoring opportunities.
Workshop Schedule
The workshop schedule is currently being organized with SSFPA, and the Ministry of Agriculture and Food. While individual communities and community partners, as well as dates have yet to be determined, these 2-day workshops will take place in the below 6 regions. Check back regularly for updates on specific details.
Interested in attending?
Please complete this registration questionnaire.
Register for one of our Workshops
Date: February 21 – 22, 2023
Time: 8:30 am – 4:00 pm (both days)
Location: A5 5279 Still Creek Ave.
Community Partner: YVR Prep
Please complete this registration questionnaire.
Register Here
Date: February 27 – 28, 2023
Time: 9:00 am – 4:30 pm (both days)
Location: 185 Royal Ave, Kamloops, BC V2B 8J6
Community Partner: Kamloops Food Policy Council & The Stir
Please complete this registration questionnaire.
Register Here
Date: March 2-3
Time: 9:00am – 4:30pm (both days)
Location: Dunster Community Hall, 7085 Read Road
Community Partner: Community Futures Fraser Fort George
Please complete this registration questionnaire.
Register Here
Details coming soon
Date: March 4 – 5
Time: 9:00am – 4:30pm (both days)
Location: TBD
Community Partner: Skeena Valley Farmers’ Market
Please complete this registration questionnaire.
Date: March 8 – 9, 2023
Time: 9:00 am – 4:30 pm (both days)
Location: 808 Viewfield Road, Esquimalt
Community Partner: Kitchen Connect
Please complete this registration questionnaire.
Register Here
Date: March 9 – 10, 2023
Time: 9:00am – 4:30pm (both days)
Location:209A 16 Ave N, Cranbrook, BC V1C 5S8 | Community Connections Society Board Room
Community Partner: Farm Kitchen
Please complete this registration questionnaire.
Register Here
Date: January 17 – 18
Location: Lions Hall on Salt Spring island
Community Partner: Salt Spring Island Farmland Trust
