Experts share ideas and insights to bolster Minnesota’s food and beverage industry
The Agricultural Utilization Research Institute (AURI), a Minnesota nonprofit that assists several hundred food businesses and entrepreneurs each year, teamed up with Minnesota-based national retailer, Target, to host a key industry event with a mission to showcase the state as a premier place to scale food and beverage businesses. A sizzle reel with highlights from the event is here.
Launching AURI’s new UnTapped annual discussion series, this inaugural event, titled AURI X Target UnTapped: Finding Your Shelf: Igniting Food & Beverage Momentum, highlighted the partnerships, innovation, and resources fueling the state’s vibrant food ecosystem. Several hundred people attended the May 11 gathering, including up-and-coming food and beverage business owners, seasoned industry professionals who have scaled their enterprises, and many industry experts and ecosystem partners.
“We have both a legacy and an emerging entrepreneurial food and beverage industry in Minnesota with unparalleled opportunities and access to expertise. AURI knows there is power in connecting as a community to share insights and support early-stage entrepreneurs to keep this ecosystem thriving,” says Shannon Schlecht, AURI executive director. “That’s why we are thrilled to have been able to collaborate with Target for this event and why we will continue to help businesses in our state grow and expand into new market opportunities.”
Food is one of AURI’s focus areas, offering specialized technical and business expertise and a wide range of services to help food and beverage businesses thrive in a competitive market, tailored to their unique needs. Assistance can range from helping launch a product for an emerging business to collaborating with larger enterprises on product innovation.
Target is focused on supporting small and emerging brands as they enter the retail space through Target’s Accelerators program, helping them grow, scale, and reach new guests.
“Emerging brands and founders bring fresh ideas and innovation that help Target deliver discovery and inspiration for guests,” said John Conlin, senior vice president of food & beverage, Target. “By combining Target’s merchandising authority with opportunities for growing businesses, we can help scale big ideas, connect them to communities and create meaningful impact for the people behind the brands while helping guests discover what they’ll love next.”
Those in attendance heard directly from Target leaders, business development experts, and industry innovators about how to break into the retail space, identify resources for growth, develop solutions to food business challenges, and gain perspectives from real-world case studies. Beyond breakout sessions, attendees had the chance to network with industry peers and attend a Smash the Senses reception featuring tasting booths from Minnesota-based food entrepreneurs. For more details, please see the AURI X Target UnTapped event agenda and speakers.
The day provided an opportunity for Alex French, co-founder of Bizzy Cold Brew, to share the process of successfully scaling a business.
“Opportunities like the AURI x Target event are game-changing for emerging businesses. They create space to build a network, gain visibility, and learn directly from experienced partners and industry leaders,” says French. “I shared the story of Bizzy Cold Brew on the panel to show that with the right support, persistence, and focus, small businesses can scale in meaningful ways. AURI has been instrumental in our journey, providing guidance, resources, and strategic insights that helped us take the next step in our growth.”
Kathy Leighton Carton, founder of Heavenly Treats, attended the event to gather resources and insight from others who have already gone through the process of building a larger presence for their brand and its products.
“Throughout the day and while sharing samples of our treats during the Smash the Senses reception, I listened to and had great conversations with others who are just like me – trying to share more widely a product I have put my heart, soul, and hard work into making,” says Leighton Carton. “Having a network where I can hear new ideas and learn about more resources for my business is invaluable.”
For more information about AURI and its resources available to food and beverage businesses, visit Food – AURI. Find free resources and educational tools from the Target Accelerators website, or complete the Supplier Intake Form if you are interested in getting on the Target Accelerators radar.
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ABOUT AURI
The Agricultural Utilization Research Institute is a nonprofit whose mission is to accelerate the agricultural economy by empowering expanded uses and markets for agriculturally derived products. It accomplishes this by using science and technology to help develop new uses for agricultural products. It collaborates globally, acts regionally, and is known as an economic catalyst for Minnesota with a focus on bioindustrial products and food. AURI provides a broad range of services, including applied research and development, scientific assistance, and a targeted network across the value chain to foster collaboration. To learn more, visit auri.org.
ABOUT TARGET
Target Corporation (NYSE: TGT) brings together style, design, and value to offer a distinct assortment and elevated shopping experience across more than 2,000 U.S. stores and online. Powered by more than 400,000 team members, Target serves millions of families each week and invests in the communities where they live and work to support growth and opportunity for all.