UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Peach salsa, gourmet jam, gluten-free snacks -- these are just a few of the locally made foods consumers can find throughout Pennsylvania, thanks to food entrepreneurs who put their ideas into action. The commonwealth is fortunate to have an abundance of these entrepreneurs, and Penn State Extension helps equip them with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in their food business.
Extension's Food for Profit program, in operation for more than 20 years, has experienced a renaissance recently, thanks to rising consumer interest in local and specialty foods. "People want to know where their food comes from," said Winifred McGee, senior extension educator in agricultural entrepreneurship. "There's a demand for local products, and Food for Profit educates those who are meeting that demand -- people who have a food business or are considering starting a food enterprise."