Georgia Grown Symposium Cooks Up Info for Entrepreneurs Starting Food Businesses

ATLANTA, Ga.  (Oct.  23, 2012) – Want to turn your baking skills into a business? Been thinking that Grandma’s great jelly recipe would make a nice second income? Now may be the time to release your inner foodie.

The Georgia Department of Agriculture has changed its Cottage Food rules that allow individuals to manufacture certain types of foods in an unlicensed home kitchen, and a two-day symposium, “Growing Your Business with Georgia Grown,” on Nov. 8-9 in Macon offers resources for people in or who want to launch careers in the business of food, fiber and fuel. The symposium is part of the state’s award-winning Georgia Grown marketing program linking producers and consumers.

What are Cottage Foods? Specific types of foods that you manufacture in the kitchen of your single family domestic residence include: breads, cakes, pastries, cookies, fruit pies, jams and jellies, dried fruits, dry herbs/seasonings, cereals and trail mix, coated/uncoated nuts, vinegar (including flavored vinegars), popcorn balls and cotton candy.

The 2012 symposium at the Macon Marriott is open to anyone – both Georgia Grown members and non-members. Registration is required to attend; the deadline is Friday, Oct. 26. To register and learn more about expert speakers and topics that will be covered during the symposium, please visit http://georgiagrownsymposium.eventbrite.com.

About Georgia Grown

Georgia Grown is a marketing and economic development program of the Georgia Department of Agriculture. It provides a powerful branding tool as well as education, marketing and business connections to expand agribusinesses and the agricultural industry throughout the state. Learn more or join Georgia Grown at www.GeorgiaGrown.com.