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Strengthening Minnesota’s Food Supply Chain Via the RFSI Program

    In this episode, Kaylee Thornley (Grant Administrator, Agricultural Marketing & Development Division) and Mike Zastoupil (Food Systems Specialist) from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA), chat about the projects funded by one-time federal dollars as part of the American Rescue Plan Act. They also highlight additional grant opportunities available to businesses and entrepreneurs through the RFSI Program and MDA.

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    AURI launches new food business landing page to highlight expanded support offerings

      Free new tools and services include AURI’s Virtual Assistant, food business toolbox, and expert office hours The Agricultural Utilization Research Institute (AURI) is launching a new food business landing page to highlight the expanded support options available to food business entrepreneurs. “With over 60 combined years of food business industry experience, our staff is excited to share its knowledge more widely to expand the agricultural economy,” says Jason Robinson, director… Continue Reading AURI launches new food business landing page to highlight expanded support offerings

      Step 1: Watch This Introductory Video To Get Started

      This video will give you a brief overview of AURI, its free tools and services, and how to engage for a paid service package or custom project (available to licensed food businesses). If this is your first time seeking paid support from AURI, please watch this video before moving to Step 2.

      Step 2: Meet for a 1-on-1 Consult with a Member of AURI

      Register below for a 1-on-1 consult with an AURI staff member. The purpose of this consult is to confirm your needs fit with AURI’s mission, your business is at a stage where you can benefit from AURI support, and to appropriately scope your work with AURI. Once you complete and submit your registration, an AURI project manager will send a link to your email where you can sign up for the consultation with an AURI staff member at a time that works for you.

      Register

      Step 1: Watch This Introductory Video To Get Started

      This short video will give you a brief overview of AURI and its freely available tools and services. If this is your first time registering for “Ask an AURI Expert” Open Office Hours, please watch this video before moving to Step 2.

      Step 2: Sign Up For Office Hours

      Register below for a free group consultation with an AURI food scientist via Zoom. These sessions are offered twice per month, from 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. on the second Thursday and 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. on the fourth Thursday. An AURI food scientist will kick off each session with a few minutes of prepared content (based on questions submitted during registration or other available content), and then answer questions in an open Q&A format. Guest experts may be available upon request. Follow the link below to register for each session you are interested in attending. A Zoom link will be sent to your email after registering.

      2nd Thursday of each month at 4:00 p.m. CT

      Register

      4th Thursday of each month at 11:30 a.m. CT

      Register

      Office hours are made possible through the Minnesota Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure program, which is funded by a cooperative agreement between the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA). The contents of the presentations and other program materials are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the USDA or MDA.

      The Agricultural Utilization Research Institute (AURI) is proud to support Minnesota’s food entrepreneurs with a wide range of services tailored to their unique needs. AURI’s Food Team offers technical and scientific assistance, leveraging expertise in areas such as food safety, product development, regulatory compliance, ingredient functionality, and business development. From guiding startups on formulation challenges to helping established businesses scale and innovate to simply connecting you with valuable resources, networking opportunities, and industry insights, AURI empowers food entrepreneurs to bring their ideas to life.

      Choose how you’d like to proceed from the links below.

      'Ask an AURI Expert' Office Hours

      Register now

      If You Already Have A License

      Click here

      Food
      Business Toolbox

      Click here

      Register for ‘Ask an AURI Expert’ Open Office Hours

      Click here

      If You Already Have A License

      Click here

      Food
      Business Toolbox

      Click here

      Looking for AVA?

      AURI’s new virtual assistant, AVA, makes food expertise available to everyone. Try AVA now!