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Food

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.

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.

Topics and Open Q&A:

June – Food Product Labeling
July – Process Authority and Acidified Foods
August – Shelf-life
September – Selecting Food Packaging
October – Licensing
November – Converting Your Food Product Recipe to a Formula
December – Inspection Requirements for Meat-Containing Food Products

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

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

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

If You Already Have A License

Food
Business Toolbox

Register for ‘Ask an AURI Expert’ Open Office Hours

If You Already Have A License

Food
Business Toolbox

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