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PORTLAND - Entrepreneurs can learn how to turn an idea into a food-related business at an upcoming workshop, "Northwest Food Business 101." The half-day workshop will be held Thursday, March 24, from 12:30 to 5 p.m. at the Food Innovation Center in Portland.

The registration deadline is March 21. The fee is $50 per person, which includes a resource workbook.

The Food Innovation Center, a collaborative program of Oregon State University and the Oregon Department of Agriculture, is located in Portland at 1207 N.W. Naito Parkway. Free parking is available.

"NW Food Business 101" offers an overview of what is required for a useful food business plan and highlights some of the technical, product development, production, legal and marketing issues that affect new enterprises in the food industry, according to Aaron Johnson, food business strategy specialist at the Food Innovation Center. The program was developed by the Food Innovation Center's business development team in conjunction with Washington State University Extension Service.

For more information, or to register online, visit the Food Innovation Center website at http://fic.oregonstate.edu/, call (503) 872-6680, or e-mail NWFB@oregonstate.edu. Because of the popularity of the program and limitations on seating, prospective participants are asked to register in advance.

The workshop will also be available to participants in the Olympia area via video teleconference sponsored by the Thurston County office of WSU Extension, 720 Sleater Kinney Road SE, Suite Y, in Lacey. For more information about the Olympia teleconference, contact the Food Innovation Center or Zena Edwards, WSU Thurston County Extension Service, (360) 786-5445 ext. 7916.

The center is a unique resource for new food businesses and the only urban-based Agricultural Experiment Station in the United States. It offers analytical laboratory testing, sensory and consumer testing, product development, market research, package engineering, shelf-life studies, export assistance, and marketing and business development guidance.