May 10 event in Springdale to spotlight new food entrepreneurs

The Arkansas Food Innovation Center at The Market Center of the Ozarks is hosting a Food Entrepreneurship Summit on May 10 to help aspiring food and beverage entrepreneurs kickstart their businesses. The event, which will take place at The Jones Center in Springdale, aims to guide individuals through the process of starting a food business.

Darryl Holliday, the executive director of the Arkansas Food Innovation Center, highlighted the challenges many entrepreneurs face when trying to start a food or beverage business. The summit will provide valuable insights and resources to help participants navigate the complexities of the industry.

The free event is open to current and future food business owners and will cover a range of topics essential for starting a successful food business. Legal and food safety requirements, permits, costing and accounting, financing, marketing, and manufacturing are some of the key areas that will be addressed during the summit.

The event is co-organized by Kim Bryden, CEO and founder of Cureate, a business development firm specializing in food and beverage entrepreneurship. Expert speakers will cover various aspects of the food business, including legal requirements, food packaging, menu costing, business accounting, merchandising, and manufacturing options.

Attendees will also have the opportunity to network with members of the Northwest Arkansas Chambers of Commerce and take a tour of the Market Center of the Ozarks. For those interested in attending the summit, registration is available on the Eventbrite page.