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News Release

PCC's 'Getting Your Recipe To Market' Readies Entrepreneurs For The Store Shelves - 03/08/21

PORTLAND, Ore. – Epicureans familiar with Portland’s celebrated food scene have undoubtedly cheered on numerous local brands that have grabbed headlines for their artisan approach and innovative products.

What these food enthusiasts may not know is that a course offered by the Portland Community College Small Business Development Center (SBDC) advises entrepreneurs through their food business journeys as they aim to fill grocery store shelves and retail spaces with their passion projects.

The "Getting Your Recipe to Market" training is a 12-week class of instruction and guidance that strips away the mystery and costly mistakes affecting many first-time business owners. The training offers a clear process from product development to market-ready implementation, with local industry experts ushering the most efficient path forward each step of the way.

“Fifteen years ago we identified a unique opportunity to assist artisan foodmakers with the challenge of bringing a product to the marketplace,” said Tammy Marquez-Oldham, director of the SBDC. “Local industry leaders came together, invested heavily and selflessly, demonstrating the inclusive spirit of Portland’s business community and acknowledging that it is stronger when working together.”

Recognizable brands like Brazi Bites, Better Bean Company and Seely Mint are all graduates of the program. Many more food cart operators, food innovators and restaurateurs have used the training to successfully diversify their business model by expanding to retail sales, often originating from customer demand.

The “Getting Your Recipe to Market” course is a partnership between PCC's SBDC, Oregon State University’s Food Innovation Center and New Seasons Market. The organizations offer a full-range of learning options that includes business development guidance, food science and product development expertise and a leading retailer perspective.

“The combination of our programs have provided diverse entrepreneurs with the full suite of skills to move from concept to a viable product,” said Food Innovation Center Director David Stone. “We’ve seen firsthand the benefit of the program to prepare people for the next step in developing their product and achieving their goals.”

At the end of the class, participants have the opportunity to present to buyers at New Seasons Market during a product evaluation and presentation. The buyers review all products and offer expert feedback and answer questions before the entrepreneurs take their product to market.

“As a retail partner, our customers benefit most when we can offer access to unique, delicious and locally produced items in our stores,” said Chris Tjersland, director of brand strategy and development for News Seasons Market.

The clients in the course are supported by many local organizations, such as Prosper Portland, Portland Mercado, B-Line Sustainable Urban Delivery, Market of Choice, Papermoon Creative, and Food Methods. Their expertise allows the participants to successfully navigate the complex food business world.

The final capstone of the class is the chance to share products with the public for the first time at a specialty food trade show, which is an opportunity for other local retailers to discover Portland’s latest food innovations.

This “Getting Your Recipe to Market” partnership of business experts and creative entrepreneurs has led to more than 420 graduates and helped more than 300 new business owners create a market-ready product.

To sign up for the next class, visit the course’s webpage, call 971-722-5080, or email sbdc@pcc.edu.

 

About Portland Community College: Portland Community College is the largest post-secondary institution in Oregon and provides training, degree and certificate completion, and lifelong learning to more than 60,000 full- and part-time students in Multnomah, Washington, Yamhill, Clackamas, and Columbia counties. PCC has four comprehensive campuses, eight education centers or areas served, and approximately 200 community locations in the Portland metropolitan area. The PCC district encompasses a 1,500-square-mile area in northwest Oregon and offers two-year degrees, one-year certificate programs, short-term training, alternative education, pre-college courses and life-long learning.

 

Visit PCC news on the web at http://news.pcc.edu/

Attached Media Files: Student Lisa Tran.,

PCC's 'Getting Your Recipe To Market' Readies Entrepreneurs For The Store Shelves - 03/08/21

PORTLAND, Ore. – Epicureans familiar with Portland’s celebrated food scene have undoubtedly cheered on numerous local brands that have grabbed headlines for their artisan approach and innovative products.

What these food enthusiasts may not know is that a course offered by the Portland Community College Small Business Development Center (SBDC) advises entrepreneurs through their food business journeys as they aim to fill grocery store shelves and retail spaces with their passion projects.

The "Getting Your Recipe to Market" training is a 12-week class of instruction and guidance that strips away the mystery and costly mistakes affecting many first-time business owners. The training offers a clear process from product development to market-ready implementation, with local industry experts ushering the most efficient path forward each step of the way.

“Fifteen years ago we identified a unique opportunity to assist artisan foodmakers with the challenge of bringing a product to the marketplace,” said Tammy Marquez-Oldham, director of the SBDC. “Local industry leaders came together, invested heavily and selflessly, demonstrating the inclusive spirit of Portland’s business community and acknowledging that it is stronger when working together.”

Recognizable brands like Brazi Bites, Better Bean Company and Seely Mint are all graduates of the program. Many more food cart operators, food innovators and restaurateurs have used the training to successfully diversify their business model by expanding to retail sales, often originating from customer demand.

The “Getting Your Recipe to Market” course is a partnership between PCC's SBDC, Oregon State University’s Food Innovation Center and New Seasons Market. The organizations offer a full-range of learning options that includes business development guidance, food science and product development expertise and a leading retailer perspective.

“The combination of our programs have provided diverse entrepreneurs with the full suite of skills to move from concept to a viable product,” said Food Innovation Center Director David Stone. “We’ve seen firsthand the benefit of the program to prepare people for the next step in developing their product and achieving their goals.”

At the end of the class, participants have the opportunity to present to buyers at New Seasons Market during a product evaluation and presentation. The buyers review all products and offer expert feedback and answer questions before the entrepreneurs take their product to market.

“As a retail partner, our customers benefit most when we can offer access to unique, delicious and locally produced items in our stores,” said Chris Tjersland, director of brand strategy and development for News Seasons Market.

The clients in the course are supported by many local organizations, such as Prosper Portland, Portland Mercado, B-Line Sustainable Urban Delivery, Market of Choice, Papermoon Creative, and Food Methods. Their expertise allows the participants to successfully navigate the complex food business world.

The final capstone of the class is the chance to share products with the public for the first time at a specialty food trade show, which is an opportunity for other local retailers to discover Portland’s latest food innovations.

This “Getting Your Recipe to Market” partnership of business experts and creative entrepreneurs has led to more than 420 graduates and helped more than 300 new business owners create a market-ready product.

To sign up for the next class, visit the course’s webpage, call 971-722-5080, or email sbdc@pcc.edu.

 

About Portland Community College: Portland Community College is the largest post-secondary institution in Oregon and provides training, degree and certificate completion, and lifelong learning to more than 60,000 full- and part-time students in Multnomah, Washington, Yamhill, Clackamas, and Columbia counties. PCC has four comprehensive campuses, eight education centers or areas served, and approximately 200 community locations in the Portland metropolitan area. The PCC district encompasses a 1,500-square-mile area in northwest Oregon and offers two-year degrees, one-year certificate programs, short-term training, alternative education, pre-college courses and life-long learning.

 

Visit PCC news on the web at http://news.pcc.edu/

Attached Media Files: Student Lisa Tran.,