National Health Outreach and Engagement Conference 2024

Hoover, A.
Food2Market is a Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service program that assists food
entrepreneurs in meeting the state and federal regulations and safety requirements necessary to
produce and sell foods. The number of food entrepreneurs is rising with the popularity to buy
and sell goods locally and as farmers increase production and sales of value-added foods
derived from the crops they grow.

Starting a food manufacturing business can be daunting and many entrepreneurs need
assistance getting started. Often, they don’t know which state agencies regulate the food(s) they
plan to produce and what steps are required to obtain approval. They may be unaware of the
different types of testing and processing steps needed for safety. Some entrepreneurs need help
choosing the most appropriate safety plans for their specific product. In South Carolina, the
Food2Market program acts as a clearinghouse for entrepreneurs to seek assistance in these
areas.

Food2Market personnel work closely with the South Carolina Department of Agriculture,
South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control and Clemson’s Livestock
Poultry Health Department to deliver regulatory information and requirements for foods
produced and sold in state. We work one-on-one with entrepreneurs leading them through the
steps needed to produce their food(s) for sale. In addition, the Food2Market program offers the
following services:
-Product testing and thermal process directives as required by the regulations under
a recognized Process Authority.
-Food safety and regulatory workshops for the beginner food entrepreneur.
-Seafood HACCP workshops, food safety plans and HACCP guidance.
-Product nutrient analysis.
-Label review.
-Shelf-life testing.

Clemson Extension’s Food2Market program strives to promote entrepreneurship in the state
of South Carolina by helping food entrepreneurs move their dream of producing safe foods into
the marketplace.