Scottsdale, Arizona (PRWEB) February 22, 2006 -- The specialty/gourmet food industry is perfect for entry-level food distribution in the US: It lends to testing new products, it doesn't require large start-up investment, and it's a fast-growing industry with annual sales approaching $40 billion.

First, food entrepreneur wannabes can learn about entering by consulting Stephen F. Hall's latest 4th edition of From Kitchen To Market - Selling Your Gourmet Food Specialty: It outlines and analyzes all kinds of food marketing opportunities for small cottage industries new to the business, discussing everything from building a product's concept using trade shows, brokers, and more. A 'must' for any newcomer cook who wants to market a product.

What they are saying about the book: “Stephen F. Hall’s ”From Kitchen to Market” is an exceptional title that tells exactly how aspiring cooks can turn an original product into a money-maker.” - James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief, The Midwest Book Review. From Kitchen to Market “is a thorough guide on food marketing that is sure to help food entrepreneurs at all levels. Extensive appendices...are an added plus to an already strong and well-written guide. Strongly recommended.” - The Library Journal

A great next step is to go to specialtyfooodresource.com for its free discussion forum.

You can lend your “two-cents worth” to the following online discussion categories (with sample questions):

- Funding Your Enterprise
Can microfinance help?
- Producing Your Product
What about co-packers?
- Packaging Your Product
Where to find cost-effective packaging materials and equipment?
- Labeling Your Product
What are the rules?
- Warehousing Your Product
Can I keep my stuff in my garage?
- Pricing Your Product
How does this work?
- Using Brokers
Where are the good brokers?
- Distributing Your Product
How does my product get on the store shelf?
- Shipping Your Product
What works best?
- Promoting Your Product
Is advertising for you?
- Trade Shows – Getting the Most
Can I use them to gather intelligence?
- Managing Your Enterprise
Which accounting software is best?

Stephen Hall is President, Food Marketing International, a company involved in market-driven strategic planning and specialty food marketing. He is also the Editor, Food Entrepreneur eZine the author of The Market for Specialty Foods, The U.S. Dairy Market, and The Market for Upscale Kitchen Electrics, all published by Frost & Sullivan, Inc., New York, NY.

In addition, he has been Plenary Speaker, New Food Entrepreneur Conference, Seattle (WA), Workshop Facilitator, Association of Small Business Development Centers annual conference, Nashville (TN), and Miami (FL), Moderator, Tortilla Industry Association Technology Conference, Los Angeles, Guest Lecturer, Specialty Food Business Development Workshops, Idaho Department of Agriculture; University of Vermont, University of New Hampshire, Massachusetts Specialty Foods Association, Vermont Specialty Foods Association, West Virginia Office of Economic Development, and Virginia Specialty Food Association, Principal Guest, CNBC "Money Talk," Nationwide Television Broadcast.

Please contact:
Stephen F. Hall
President
Food Marketing International
10001 North 77th Place
Scottsdale, Arizona 85258
480/778-0640

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