We get lots of questions concerning food safety, product packaging, processing certifications, business plan writing, and classes offered by IFAS and others.  This page provides important resources for those of you asking about these areas and more.

NORTH CENTRAL FLORIDA FOOD SAFETY CERTIFICATION:

IFAS Food Safety and Quality Program

WORKSHOPS/TRAININGS:

We include some out-of-state listings because not all classes are offered in-state and, if you are willing to travel, there is a wider availability.

Those of you who will be producing an acidified, low-acid food may be required to attend the acidified foods Better Process Control School.  It is currently not offered in Florida, but is in Georgia and North Carolina.  If you are not required to take it, we strongly recommend you do anyway as it will educate you about your products, their processes and requirements; prepare you for creating and operating within your special section of food safety protocols; and also prepare you for your new relationship with the FDA.  You should look up the class dates as soon as possible as they are offered only several times during the year.

Examples of workshops/trainings you will find below:  Hazardous Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP); Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP); Better Process Control School, Acidified Foods; seafood-specific courses (food safety, HACCP, etc.); commodities courses; food engineering courses; etc.

NC State Department of Food, Bioprocessing, and Nutrition Sciences

UGA College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences

IFAS Meat Extension

GENERAL ENTREPRENEUR RESOURCES:

Santa Fe College’s Center for Innovation and Economic Development (CIED)

SCORE Gainesville

Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at UNF

FOOD ENTREPRENEUR RESOURCES:

NC State Entrepreneur Assistance Program, Dept. of Food, Bioprocessing and Nutrition Sciences

UGA Department of Food Science and Technology

IFAS Small Farms

FARM-to-RESTAURANT INITIATIVE:

The Farm-to-Restaurant Initiative is a partnership between Slow Food Gainesville and Blue Oven to provide a forum to foster communication, education, and understanding between farmers, distributors, restaurateurs and others in order to bring more locally grown and produced food into North Central Florida food service.  We have been offering workshops and pro bono consulting services to help create these pathways.

If you would like to suggest an addition to this page, please send an email to Val@blueovenkitchens.org.