The Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center, based at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, will hold a free one-day Food Product Boot Camp on April 27. 

The event will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Heifer International, 1 World Avenue in Little Rock. The boot camp is geared towards people looking to launch a new food product or beverage, farmers looking to expand their offerings, and any food producer already in business.

The event will help business owners position food products for success. The presenter is Marty Butts, owner of Small Potatoes, a consulting firm that specializes in working with small-scale and startup food businesses.

The boot camp will offer practical tips for maximizing local and direct-to-consumer sales, expanding to new markets, and building a brand. Participants will also learn how to identify wholesale partners and develop good relationships within the industry.

The boot camp is offered for free thanks to a Portable Assistance Grant from the Small Business Administration. The event is co-sponsored by Heifer International and the Arkansas Agriculture Department. Participants can pre-register by filling out this online form.