By Jamie Martin
Purdue University has established a new Institute for Food Product Innovation and Commercialization, designed to assist farmers in transforming basic crops into market-ready food products.
Funded by a $1.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the institute offers crucial training and development support in rural Indiana.
"This grant is focused on farmers who want to add value to their product," explained Dharmendra Mishra, the institute's director. The program aims to streamline the process for farmer-entrepreneurs by addressing common obstacles in product commercialization.
The institute operates under a collaborative model, combining Purdue’s Food Science and Agricultural Economics departments. It provides a comprehensive training regimen, from recipe development to commercial scaling, ensuring products are safe and market-ready.
"We want to remove those hurdles for farmer-entrepreneurs," Mishra stated, emphasizing the program’s goal to enhance local economic growth and reduce dependency on the national supply chain.
Participants will have access to Purdue’s advanced facilities, including the Skidmore Food Product Development Laboratory and a Pilot Plant for small-scale production trials. The initiative also includes a three-phase training program, which culminates in personalized project assessments.
Through this initiative, Purdue aims not only to boost the regional economy but also to empower local farmers with the tools to innovate and succeed in the competitive food market.
Photo Credit: purdue-university
Categories: National