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Discussion Forum Topic
ORGANICS - THE FINAL WORD...NOT!
As a follow on to the helpful comments from FE reader and contributor Gigi French, Owner of My Last Dime Gourmet, Inc., organic foods, I offer the following:
Okay, so why all the fuss? I have been wondering how the limited number of organic farms could meet the massively growing demand for organic foods. I have also been wondering if, in fact, organics are going save the world?
So, along comes TV's Dr. Sanjay Gupta who contends that there is little evidence that organics are either more nutritious or any safer for our bodies than produce traditionally grown with fertilizers and pesticides. For starters, researchers have not made any connection between our ongoing trace-pesticide consumption from food and a long-term negative effect on our health.
Some organically grown produce (tomatoes) may have higher levels of anti-oxidants, but for the most part organics are not a cure-all - except that they do provide more money for organic food entrepreneurs!
Even so, there appear ever more interesting sounding products in this category. For example: Kulfi pop, fruit shrubs, raw organic dairy-free agave gelato, and fair trade, organic, chocolate.
Onward.
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Quick Links...
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Dear Stephen,
Welcome to Food Entrepreneur eZine (FE).
With more than 12,000 new food products each year, of which 3,000 or so might be characterized as specialty foods, FE still maintains that if you are in business after seven years, then you are probably successful.
Would you like to be an FE contributor? Topics are welcomed that impact almost any aspect of specialty food marketing. We will be happy to help.
Does FE help you? Please let me know what you think we should do to improve the interest, ease and utility of our eZine. We invite and welcome your comments. Let's work together to learn ways of succeeding in specialty food marketing. Stay tuned...
Wishing you great profits!
Steve
Stephen F. Hall
Author, From Kitchen to Market
Editor, Food Entrepreneur eZine
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· Notes and Comment - "From Kitchen to Market" to be mentioned in the December issue of Entrepreneur Magazine
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1. "From Kitchen to Market" to be referenced in Entrepreneur Magazine. As an outcome of our mention in Oprah Winfrey's "O" Magazine, I was interviewed for an article on the specialty food market that will appear in the December 2007 issue of Entrepreneur Magazine. Hoorah!
2. How Popular is Your WebSite? You can find out here. And, it's free.
3. The People's Food Movement is alive and well at www.peoplesfoodmovement.com. Run by Dave's Gourmet founder Dave Hirschkop in San Francisco, it is an interesting take on getting new and innovative specialty foods to the market. Let us know what you think of it!
4. Strategic Planning at a glance. Have a look at the winning Strategic Planning Workshop/Retreat Agenda I use. And contact me to learn how we can implement it in your firm.
5. Take our mini-surveys and submit questions for future surveys and articles for publication in FE.
6. Complete Listing of FE Contributors. Please contact me to learn how you, too, can be added to this prestigious listing.
7. Here's one for you organic foodies: The opportunity to be a vendor at an Organic Food and Yoga Conference January 2008 in Sun City, Arizona. For more information:
8. Future Issues of Food Entrepreneur eZine:
- More on product pricing.
- The "State of State Specialty Food Associations."
- And any ideas of interest to you.
Email Steve@specialtyfoodresource.com to let us know what other areas you would like to have addressed.
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· All About Food Labels - Guidance on use of "Trans Fat Free" and More
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Food Consulting Company's Karen Duester includes the following topics in the latest edition of Food Label News:
Reader Q & A: "What is the legal definition of 'trans fat free'?"
Table of Contents:
· FDA Begins Public Look at Food Labels Symbols
· Food Labels Health Claims Get Attention
· FDA Guidance - Helpful for Food Labels Work
· At Your Service: Calories on Menus/Menu Boards
Readers of Food Label News can submit their food label questions free of charge for possible publication in the Q & A Section of Food Label News.
Here is the latest issue of Food Label News.
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· Specialty Food Resources - Go to Resources and Select "Export Assistance"
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Your specialtyfoodresource.com site now has a SEARCH feature. You may now go right to the "find" section and look for information on our entire site. Feel free to let me know if you see anything that needs changing.
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Visit your free resource center and learn about exporting.
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· This Month's Specialty Food Company Web Site: Made in Napa Valley
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Here is the web site for Made in Napa Valley, producers of an award-winning array of quality specialty foods.
Can you learn anything from the site?
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· A New Specialty Food Business Development Resource
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From the University of Nebraska Cornhuskers: The Food Processing Center, established in 1983 provides comprehensive business and technical assistance to food manufacturers throughout the country. The Center is also the home of the nationally recognized Food Entrepreneur Assistance Program. This program has been assisting food manufacturing entrepreneurs throughout the U.S. since 1989. It begins with a one- day "From Recipe to Reality" seminar that provides entrepreneurs with an understanding of the key factors to be considered when starting a food manufacturing business. Topics include market research, product development, packaging, labeling, pricing, product introduction, promotional materials, food safety, and legal and business structure issues. In one day entrepreneurs gain valuable insight on the basics of starting a food business that could take them months or even years to research on their own. Following the seminar, participants may choose to enter the "From Product to Profit" phase of the program. During this phase entrepreneurs receive comprehensive, individualized and confidential assistance from food scientists and business consultants with the development of their own business venture.
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· A Mini Case Study - Laxmi's Delights
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FE asked SOFI [the new name for the NASFT product awards is Specialty Outstanding Food Innovation] "Outstanding New Product for 2007" Award Finalist Laxmi's Delights founder and principal Laxmi Hiremath to comment on the following:
1. What is your vision?
2. How do you define success?
3. How long does it take to succeed?
4. How much does it cost?
5. Any advice for the newbees?
Readers can see her replies here.
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· The 4th Edition of "From Kitchen to Market" is Classic!
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"From Kitchen to Market is the best book about the U.S. specialty food field, and there is a great need you have so very well covered!" - Ted Koryn, U.S. specialty food industry pioneer.
The only book of its kind that outlines every food marketing opportunity and then supports entrepreneurial action with detailed guidance.
FAN MAIL: "I am trying to launch a new specialty food product and your book has been very helpful. I'd like to receive your ezine to learn more. Thanks,"- Linda Barnes, Nancy's Fancy, LLC.
See additional testimonials.
Other good books for small business management can be seen at Kaplan Publishing's web site: www.kaplan.com
Discount price: $19.11 [Cover Price is $28.95]
Purchase at Amazon
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· Build and Manage Your Own Website!
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Sell your specialty food product online!
SnapMonkey is a place where you can go online and create your own website. You don't need to know anything about programming. If you can create a word document, you have the skills to create your own website.
With our easy-to-use shopping cart, you can easily sell your products online. Try our 10 day NO-COST trial. If you like it, it is only $49 to activate, and $29.95/month. Give it a try.
How is your website? Here is a first class web analysis service. We can research your market and prepare a plan. For more information, see this site.
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· A New eBook About How Powerful Online Communities Can Promote Your Business
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Why Buy It?
Reason One: According to an iProspect study, 1 in 3 Internet users are searching online communities, reading what other people have written, and making a buying decision based on what they have read.
Reason Two: Statistics show that 70% of people research online before making a purchasing decision. (And that includes local service businesses).
Reason Three: You will learn from experts who have PERSONAL EXPERIENCE and who have successfully market their businesses in these online communities. And, these experts are going to share their strategies with you!
Try it out. If it doesn't do everything the author says and more, if you don't save money, time and frustration, if it isn't life-changing, if it doesn't work for you, you have nothing to worry about because you can get every dime of your money back under our no- loopholes guarantee. So you have nothing to lose and everything to gain
Cost: $47.00 More than half off cover price of $79.00
"Dollars and Sense of Online Communities"
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