Oregon Department of Agriculture: Resources for Food Startups

If you want to start a new food business in Oregon there are a lot of well-known resources to support you, but Hannah Kullberg, connector & catalyst at PNW Packaged Food & Beverage Group, says there are also some lesser-known programs that are very helpful. She joined us to share more.

There are a few programs that have been helping the launch for Oregon food products for decades like the Food Innovation Center and the Getting Your Recipe to Market program. Here are a few you might not know about:

The Oregon Department of Agriculture recently launched a food business start up journey map. It goes over the stages and considerations of launch and connects the reader to relevant resources. This PDF is embedded in a site with even more resources and both commercial kitchen and co-packer lists. It also connects you to resources and groups in your part of the state - such as the Cultivate Bend or Eugene’s Table.

The PNW Packaged Food & Beverage Group (PNW F&B for short ) is a resource sharing network for packaged food founders and leaders in the NW. Since it is digitally based it is accessible to makers across the state and region. The protip here is that there is 3 years of data embedded in the google group that as a member you can search to discover advice, suppliers and connections.

The Bridges Program is a newer program run by BUILT OREGON, specifically for BIPOC food businesses to pitch to local retailers and get support in their wholesale journey. It’s a truly special program providing access and support. Feedback from retailers is critical in shaping and developing your food business.

The Matt Choi Farmer Market Vendor Grant - In these times of change there are lot of new food businesses launching. A lot of the funding recently has been COVID funding for failing businesses, rather than supporting the emergence of new businesses that any time of destabilisation brings. So, myself, the Choi family and the Portland Farmers Market launched a grant for new and emerging makers who want to grow a farmers market baed business. The grant is in honor of Matt Choi the co-founder of Choi’s Kimchi who passed away before his time and was beloved in the community and know for mentoring newer food businesses.

Meaningful Marketplace Podcast -- Sarah Masoni and Sarah Marshall host a podcast where they interview Oregon-based women-led food businesses. The reason I recommend this podcast is that you can Learn from the mistakes and success of other food businesses before you.

This segment is sponsored by: Oregon Department of Agriculture.