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PORTLAND, Ore. - The Food Innovation Center is offering an in-depth education series to help entrepreneurs start and run successful food businesses.

"The series expands our original half-day workshop to a comprehensive series that will provide detailed information and hands-on training to help those who are new to the food industry seriously evaluate their own food business opportunity," said Aaron Johnson, an Oregon State University food marketing specialist at the center.

The education series, "NW Food Business Start-up," begins on Thursday, May 11, from 1 to 4:30 p.m. at the Food Innovation Center, located at 1207 N.W. Naito Parkway in Portland. This first course will be an introduction to the food industry.

"In the second course, 'Creating a Food Business,' we will help participants explore marketing, research the business potential and determine the viability of their ideas before investing limited resources," Johnson explained. The course will also explore the world of food production and the regulatory process.

This second course is comprised of six sessions, each from 1 to 4:30 p.m., on May 25, June 8, June 22, July 13, July 27 and Aug. 10. Experts from OSU and the food industry will be available for one-on-one coaching throughout the class.

The fee for the introductory first course is $100; the second course is $950. To register online for the series, "NW Food Business Start-up," visit http://oregonstate.edu/fic/nwfb, or call the center at 503-872-6680. Space is limited. Online registration is preferred and has already begun.

The Food Innovation Center is a collaboration between OSU's Agricultural Experiment Station and the Oregon Department of Agriculture.