MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Entrepreneurs who dream of creating and manufacturing food products can learn how to make those dreams reality at a day-long workshop offered in two locations across the state in June.

The Mississippi State University Extension Service is sponsoring Food as a Business workshops at the county Extension offices June 2 in Greenwood and June 29 in Starkville.

Each session will run from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Registration for Food as a Business is $35 a person and includes lunch, breaks and conference materials. Speakers represent the Extension Service, the Mississippi Development Authority, the state Department of Health, Department of Agriculture and Commerce, manufacturing and retail.

"We designed this conference for anyone who has ever dreamed of owning and operating their own food processing business," said Anna Hood, food technologist and associate Extension professor with MSU's Food and Fiber Center. "Participants can experience firsthand what is required for basic start-up in a food manufacturing or wholesale distribution business."

The conference brings together experts on a variety of topics related to food as a business. Workshops focus on customer and retailer relations, legal issues, labeling, marketing, sales, profits and costs. The day ends with a question-and-answer session where participants can interact with the experts.

Registration for the June 2 event in Greenwood closes May 26 and registration for the June 29 event in Starkville concludes June 22. For more information, contact the local Extension county director. Andy Braswell can be reached in Leflore County at (662) 453-6803 or andyb@ext.msstate.edu. Grenell Rogers can be reached in Oktibbeha County at (662) 323-5916 or grenellr@ext.msstate.edu.