UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Got a great new snack food idea? Ready to market Grandma's chicken salad recipe? People looking to turn family recipes into big-money businesses now have access to valuable information on the food processing business, thanks to a special Web-based service developed by Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences.

"Resources for Small Food Processors and Potential Entrepreneurs" is a Web site created by Luke LaBorde, assistant professor of food science, to introduce budding business tycoons to the fundamentals of food processing technology and regulations.

The site (http://foodsafety.cas.psu.edu/processor/ent_res_text2.htm) is designed to answer the most frequently asked questions surrounding commercial food processing.

"Many people have an old family recipe for a barbecue sauce, salad dressing or salsa that they think tastes better than what's on the market," LaBorde says. "Our site offers a variety of resources available in Pennsylvania and other states to answer key questions: 'Am I the type of person who would be happy running a business? What are the state and federal regulations I would have to follow, and how can I make sure I will produce a safe product?" The links in this Web site should help anyone seriously considering starting a food processing operation."

More than 90 online resources have been collected and categorized into sections such as "Before You Get Started -- Making the Decision to be a Food Processor," "Resources for Starting a Business,", "Regulations for Food Processors," "General Microbiology and Food Safety," and "Food Processing Technology." The site also has links to food testing laboratories, equipment and packaging resources, and direct marketing opportunities and farm alternatives.

"By no means will the site answer all your questions -- especially when you look at the many different kinds of food products one can make," LaBorde says. "After looking at the site, potential entrepreneurs should contact the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and their local county health department for additional advice on regulations and food safety requirements."

###

EDITORS: For more information, contact Luke LaBorde at 814-863-2298.

Contact:

Gary Abdullah gxa2@psu.edu 814-863-2708 814-865-1068 fax