Riverside County MADE: The Blythe Marketfest Food Special

Riverside County MADE: The Blythe Marketfest Food Special is a fast-paced five-week pop-up market business building and readiness training program to prepare food-based startups and existing food business owners to become successful vendors at the new Blythe Marketfest opening in November 2023. This food business program is focused on providing the additional support food businesses need with industry-specific information and guidance. At the completion of the program, eligible participants may apply for a County of Riverside grant of $2,500.

Requirements:

• City of Blythe and Palo Verde Valley Resident
• Attend all sessions including AM PAC Financial Literacy to receive the grant
• Meet with an SBDC consultant once a week throughout the training program
• Meet all of the other basic Thrive grant requirements to receive the grant
• All Blythe Marketfest vendors must attend one Market Days readiness session on-site at Todd Park in October (Market Days on 10/7 and 10/14) to participate in the market launch in November.

Series Overview:

Saturday, July 1 | Session One | 8 – 10 a.m.

• Building your profitable business — the who, what, why, and how!
• Business feasibility — can your idea make money?
• Which food permit type is best for your business?
• Home-based vs. Pop-up vs. Commercial Kitchen
• Menu and ingredients sourcing
• Competitive market research
• Name your business and build your brand
• Containers and packaging
• Funding your business and the Thrive Grant opportunity

Saturday, July 8 | Session Two | 8 – 10 a.m.

• Managing the money — how, where, and who cares!
• Food costing and pricing
• Business and financial plans — because planning is important
• Business formation and business ownership structures
• Business bank accounts and accepting payments
• Bookkeeping, sales tax, and business taxes
• Employees 1099 vs. W2 vs. Cash
• Money management plans and Thrive Grant review

Saturday, July 15 | Session Three | 8 – 10 a.m.

• Understanding food safety and the health department
• Market booth selection, design, and display
• Health department permits and inspections
• Food manager certifications and food handler cards
• Cooking equipment and on-site storage
• Booth safety and sanitation
• Serving samples on-site
• Food liability insurance

Saturday, July 22 | Session Four | 8 – 10 a.m.

• The selling part — the what, the how, and the everywhere!
• Sourcing, costing, and pricing products
• Packaging and cash wrap
• Return policy and customer satisfaction
• Signage and promotional materials
• Equipment, supplies, and transportation
• Market applications, regulations, and requirements

Saturday, July 29 | Session Five | 8 – 10 a.m.

• Communicating with your customers — who, what, why, when, how, and where!
• Marketing, advertising, and making your plan
• Websites — you can do it!
• Integrating online sales
• Social media plans and calendars
• Great photos make great sales
• Go to market strategy — bringing it all together!
• Thrive Grant review and Market Days

The permit types covered in this training program:

• Cottage Food Operations (CFO) Class A and B
• 100% Prepackaged Foods Vending
• Temporary Event Vendors (Pop-up booths)
• On-site Preparation
• Commercial Kitchen Preparation
• Community Food Producers and Gleaners
• Home-based Agriculture
• Certified Agricultural Producers
• CDFA Certified Ag Products
• USDA Value-Added Products