CEC LAUNCHES CHICAGO & ILLINOIS RESOURCES FOR FOOD ENTREPRENEURS
As a follow-up to the 2009 Farm to Fork Conference, the Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center (CEC) and the Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business have developed a white paper about the Chicago food industry as well as a handbook for Chicago –based Food Entrepreneurs.
“This paper captures key points made during the conference and further explores the trends and opportunities for innovation within the sector. It also puts forth several recommendations for advancing the food industry in the regional economy”, said Linda Darragh, Director of Entrepreneurship Programs and the Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship. The Polsky Center and the CEC hope that the white paper generates discussion and action to insure that the Chicago food industry will continue to innovate and be recognized as a global leader. The white paper is available at www.chicagobooth.edu/entrepreneurship/.
One of the key take-aways from the conference was that it is very difficult for early stage entrepreneurs in the food industry to find the critical information and resources that they need to grow. Many felt that Chicago was lacking in resources, while others said the resources were disconnected and hard to find. The underlying message from the conference was the need for a central source of information for the food entrepreneur.
After interviewing a select group of entrepreneurs and conducting internal research, the CEC and Polsky Center have also compiled Chicago and Illinois Resources for Food Entrepreneurs as an initial step for the interested food entrepreneur. The handbook follows the research, development and sales process from the farm to the retailer, mapping out the resources along the way. The handbook includes links to available resources in the city as well as information for entrepreneurs at various stages of business. The handbook is available at www.chicagolandec.org.
“Entrepreneurial resources such as the handbook and the white paper are critical for early stage entrepreneurs to ensure they have access to the right information when starting their businesses”, said David Weinstein, President of the CEC.
Download Chicago & Illinois Resources for Food Entrepreneurs
Download From Farm to Fork: Innovations in the Chicago Food Industry White Paper
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