MSU Extension Product Center

Cook, Share & Prosper - MSU Product Center Summit

November 12, 2020 | 9 - 11 a.m.

Online Via Zoom

It’s been a turbulent year for Michigan food entrepreneurs. Join the MSU Product Center to learn what you need to thrive in the current environment. Food industry leaders from across the state will address where the industry is going, which food business pivots are working and how you can thrive in an increasingly online marketplace. Cook, Share & Prosper will provide actionable expertise that is built for the food entrepreneur to integrate into their business.

Program Agenda

Welcome and Introduction to Cook, Share & Prosper MSU Product Center Summit  

Mollie Woods, MSU Extension Product Center Director  

State of the Industry  

Now that 2020 is almost in the books, let’s look into the future of the retail grocery world for 2021! How can you prosper? Should food businesses be strategizing now? 

• Fran Mathis, Category Manager for Busch’s Fresh Food Market 
• Bobby Hesano, President of D&B Grocers Wholesale & Distributors 

• Becky DeYoung, MSU Product Center Innovation Counselor as moderator 

MSU Food Processing and Innovation Center (FPIC) Expertise in 60 Seconds 

The FPIC is a leading processing center that enables you access to cutting-edge equipment and the expertise to run it. Learn how the FPIC can act as a springboard for your new product launches. 

Considerations In Packaging When Shipping Products 

E-commerce has experienced ten years of growth in three months. Your company needs to understand how to safely and effectively ship food products to meet this opportunity. Learn how to keep products temperature controlled, prevent breakage and economize shipping directly from a leading packaging expert. 

Packaging Expertise in 60 Seconds 

The MSU School of Packaging is the highest ranked program in the nation. Learn in 60s how you can access this expertise as a MSU Product Center client.

Consumer Trends in Retail Food 

What is the future of food? Gather relevant insights from a global, award-winning provider of food market research. Mintel, in this session, will give attendees a sneak peak of their report ‘Food Trends: 2021 & Beyond’. An analyst will join live to answer your questions.

• Lynn Dornblaser, Director, Innovation & Insight for Mintel
  
  • New product trends have been the focus of Lynn's career for more than 25 years, giving her a unique perspective on the marketplace and new product development. An experienced public speaker, Lynn has been quoted by major US news organizations, including the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, The New Yorke Times, and CNN.

• Parker Jones, MSU Product Center Innovation Counselor as moderator 

Announcement of 2020 MSU Product Center Award Winners in the categories of Best COVID Pivot, Minority Business Award, Innovation in Marketing, and New Product Development. Hear from these business owners about how they’ve been able to be successful during this challenging year.  

Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) Expertise in 60 Seconds 

MEDC will be a partner in the Making it in Michigan 2021 conference! Listen in to learn how they can support your business.  

Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) Expertise in 60 Seconds 

MDARD will be a partner in the Making it in Michigan 2021 conference! Listen in to learn how they can support your business.  

Creating a Virtual Pitch Video 

You need to convince people about the value of your business and products to be successful. Customers, lenders, distributors and co-packers will all ask why they should spend time on your business. In this session, you’ll hear directly from a pitch-competition winning entrepreneur on how to tell your story succinctly and convincingly 

• Jamie Rahrig, MSU Product Center Innovation Counselor and Michigan Good Food Fund Specialist 
• Bri Makaric , BRITE Bites 

Innovation Counselor Expertise in 60 Seconds 

It can be a challenge to get the specific licensing, food safety and business expertise you need as a food entrepreneur. Learn how innovation counselors, specialized to food and agriculture industries, can help you thrive. 

How to Create Social Media Engagement with a Cooking Video 

You can’t take a year off of marketing. Online cooking demos are a way to engage your audience and increase sales. An MSU Extension nutrition educator will lead this session on best practices for making cooking videos for social media. 

• Erin Powell, Registered Dietician and MSU Extension Educator 

Process Authority Review (PAR) Expertise in 60 Seconds 

PAR can be confusing. Does my product need one? What are the steps? Learn how the MSU Product Center can help in 60s.  

Registration is $15 per person. Registration closes Nov. 10, 2020.

  Register Now

Grant and Scholarship Opportunities

If you have received a grant, scholarship or loan from the Michigan Good Food Fund in the past or have a new healthy food product that you plan to bring to market, you are eligible for a 50% discount to this summit from the Michigan Good Food Fund. 

If you are a minority entrepreneur from Kent County, you are eligible for a 50% discount to this summit through a grant from the Wege Foundation.  

Please complete this Google Form and if awarded, you will be emailed a coupon code to use when registering. If you have questions, feel free to contact Kendra Wills at (517) 930-0928 or willsk@msu.edu