Whether you are starting a brand-new food company or adding a new product to your current venture, developing a product for business can be a daunting task. Cornell University offers an eCornell Food Product Development Certificate Program to help guide and inform participants in their process.

As a leading supplier of glass, plastic, and metal packaging components used throughout the US for bottling and packaging food products, we know how important starting a new food product venture correctly can be for long term success! We are thrilled to have Cornell AgriTech based here in upstate NY and accessible across the country through their eCornell programs.

The certificate program, which is ten weeks long, usually costs $3,900. However, for qualified applicants, Food Spark allows participants to earn the certification for just $200. The program covers a range of important topics. Learn how to identify the feasibility of the new product, as well as the practical application of food safety practices. Develop systems for processing and packaging your product and study how to implement local and federal regulations. These virtual classes are meant to be taken at your own speed, fitted around your schedule, during the ten week session period.

To find out if you are eligible to participate in the Food Spark program, make sure you are a current New York State resident or run a business in NY, have a current NYS Center of Excellent membership, and simply submit your application to the NYS Center of Excellence for Food and Agriculture.

Learn more about the Food Spark program, take a look at this comprehensive flyer or head over to cal.cornell.edu for additional information.