FOOD MAKERS & SELLERS


We have converted our popular fall “Food Business Mini-MBA” into an interactive, practical virtual experience for you.

Who is this for? Calling all food trucks, caterers, restaurants, and specialty food makers (baked goods, canned goods, food manufacturers, etc.)! This is for you whether you’re still in planning or already in business and ready to grow.

How do you benefit? Learn practical skills and insights from food business experts. Support each other as you grow. Get access to buyers and the media in a grand finale food festival just for you. Finish with a business plan and financing pitch in hand.

Come to one of the Info Sessions

  • Wednesday, September 22nd, 5:30 – 6:30 pm – Register on Zoom
  • Monday, September 27th, 12 – 1 pm – Register on Zoom
  • Apply Now!

    Accepted on rolling basis through September 27th. Please contact us if you need more time: admin@northcoastsbdc.org or (707) 445-9720.

    1. Click here to apply any time before midnight on Monday, September 27, 2021.
    2. Download and Return this Scholarship Application if you haven’t before. Watch this video tutorial for guidance on completing it correctly. Must be filled out completely and correctly or we cannot process it. All information is kept confidential. Call us any time if you need help.
    3. Sign up online to become a client if you aren’t already. Please specify you’re a “Food Business program applicant.”
    4. Then we will reach out to schedule an interview.

    Note: Even if your flight application is not accepted you may still access no-cost one-to-one advising & attend workshops. 

    2021 Program Timeline

    Wednesday, September 22 & Monday, September 27 – Information Sessions

    Monday, September 27 – Program Applications Due by or before today

    September 16 – October 1st – Applicant Interviews. Applicants notified of acceptance on rolling basis.

    October 5th – 5:30 – 7:30 pm – Kick-off and Introductions

    Sessions roughly every 1-2 weeks through early February–skipping holiday weeks.

    Topics Include:

    Welcome & Kick off: Tuesday, October 5th from 5:30 to 7:30 pm

    Marketing your Food Product to Your Best Customers: Tuesday, October 12th from 5:30 to 7:30 pm

    Food Business Planning: Monday, October 18th from 5:30 to 7 pm

    Financial Forecasting: Monday, October 25th 18th from 5:30 to 7 pm

    –> Small group, hands-on working meetings for your business plan and financial forecasting (pick one): Monday, 25th, 9-10, Tuesday, 26th – 2-3, Thursday, 28th 12-1

    Food Costing & Pricing: Monday, November 1st from 9 to 11 am

    –> Small group, hands-on working meetings for your food costing worksheets (pick one): Tuesday and Thursday 11/2 and 11/4 from 5:30 to 7 pm.

    Food Retail and Manufacturing Regulations, Permits & Food Safety, with Humboldt & Del Norte county government officials: Monday, November 8 from 9 to 11 am 

    Zero Waste for Food Businesses: Tuesday, November 30 from 5:30 to 7 pm

    Your Brand Collateral: sales sheets, packaging, logos, menus, pitch decks, and more: Tuesday, December 7 from 5:30 to 7:30 pm

    Build a Successful Food Truck Business, the fundamentals with industry pioneer Gail Lillian: Tuesday, December 14 from 5:30 to 7:30 pm

    Sales & Distribution for Food Makers & Manufacturers will mostly focus on wholesale businesses, but will touch on retail and direct to consumer as well–with Rosa Dixon, Humboldt’s own co-founder of the Natural Decadence gluten-free bakery, at groceries nationwide. Thursday, January 13th from 5:30 to 7:30 pm.

    Workshop Dates still being scheduled

    • Week of 1/17
    • Week of 1/31
    • Week of 2/7
    • Week of 2/14

    Topics being scheduled

    • Financial Recordkeeping for Food Business Owners
    • Funding: A 360 degree view of third party funding for your micro-business
    • Pitching to Partners, Funders, Buyers and More
    • Food Service Excellence
    • THE FOOD FAIR with Local Food Buyers, Media, Community Leaders, and Members of the Public
    • Celebration with Local Food Business Heroes

    2019 Food Program Sessions

    The 2021 program will look different, but this will give you an idea of what to expect:

    Getting Started Series… if you haven’t started up yet:

    August 14 – Getting Started: So You Want to Start a Business? $0

    August 21 – Getting Started: So You’re Ready to Start a Business? $0

    September 19 – Getting Started: Financial Basics for Start-ups $0

    Business Basics Series… for everyone:

    September 12 – Business Basics: Think Like a Marketer – $30

    September 25 – Business Basics: Business Planning for the Real World – $30

    October 9 – Business Basics: Financial Basics for Business Owners – $30

    2019 Food Business Program Sessions (workshops will run 2-3 hours, $50 – 150 each):

    September 10 – Welcome & Kick-Off

    September 18 – Marketing and Branding your Food Product

    October 1 – Regulation and Liabilities for the Food Industry

    October 3 – Pricing, Sales & Distribution

    October 8 – Price for Profit: Understanding Food Costing

    October 15 – Accounting for Food Businesses

    October 22 – Food Waste Management

    October 24- Food Safety Preventive Controls for Human Foods (PCQI)

    November 2 – Food Fair at Arts Alive! (Showcase your food with buyers, then with the public)

    November 19th – Meet the Rock Stars of the Food Industry: Reflect, Interact, Plan

    Optional Workshops

    October 10 – Food Service Excellence

    November 9 – Strange Brews and Odd Eats

    November 12 – ServSafe Manager Certificate Training

    (Register online at northcoastsbdc.org/calendar)

    Digital Marketing & E-Commerce Workshop Series
    Financial Management for Business Owners Workshop Series

    HR for Business Owners Workshop Series