Product Development and Production

University of Maryland Extension Peer-Reviewed Fact Sheet

Turning Out Your Product: From Food Safety to Marketing, There's a Lot You'll Need to Know (EB 416)
By Ginger S. Myers, Extension Specialist, Marketing. This report breaks down the necessary steps to develop your product and bring it to market in accordance with the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene's regulations and recommendations.

The author discusses the legal aspects of operating a specialty food processing business in Maryland, including obtaining the necessary license and complying with regulations of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act and Fair Packaging and Labeling Act.  The 30-page report also provides detailed information on the many requirements for business operation, including proper labeling, obtaining UPC codes, working with a co-packer, and acquiring the correct equipment.

Publications

Processing For Profits
By Ginger S. Myers, Extension Specialist, Marketing. This publication addresses product development, manufacturing, understanding the food safety system, labeling, acidified food, FAQ’s about Maryland’s food regulations, specific Maryland processed farm products, business planning, and marketing for specialty food producers and processors. Any producer interested in the potential and pitfalls of on-farm and value-added food processing will find this new resource helpful in their planning and implementation process.

This publication was made possible through grant funding from the Harry R. Hughes Center for Agro-Ecology, Inc., with support from the United States Department of Agriculture – Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (USDACSREES.

Websites

Food Processing in Maryland
Maryland Rural Enterprise Development Center

Office of Food Protection
Maryland Department of Health

How to Apply for the Maryland on-Farm Processor License for Farm-Raised Meats
Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission (SMADC)