Getting Your Recipe to Market: A Proven Pathway for Local Food Small Business Owners
Posted by kayla.banda | Start the discussion
For many aspiring food small business owners, turning a favorite family recipe into a packaged product can feel scary and daunting. Getting Your Recipe to Market (GYRM), a 20-year-running training program of the Portland Community College Small Business Development Center (PCC SBDC), was created to make that journey clearer, smarter, and far more achievable.
Developed in partnership with OSU’s Food Innovation Center and New Seasons Market, the training program blends food science, business fundamentals, and real-world retail insight. Over 20 years, it has helped hundreds of makers transform kitchen-table ideas into shelf-ready products.
A Practical, Expert-Guided Learning Experience
GYRM is designed for early-stage small business owners who want to understand what it truly takes to bring a food product to market. Participants learn to:
- Navigate food industry essentials, including product development, food safety, packaging, and distribution.
- Connect with industry professionals, from food scientists and co-packers to grocery buyers and regulators.
- Build a viable business model through pricing, cost-of-goods-sold calculations, and marketing fundamentals.
- Work one-on-one with advisors to create an action plan and make informed decisions.
The program culminates in a rare and special opportunity: pitching directly to New Seasons Market buyers for real-time feedback. As Local Finds Manager Lori Hunter explains, graduates “show up retail-ready and understand the nuances of label compliance, shelf life, cost of goods and distribution,” making them stand out in a competitive marketplace.
A Legacy of Impact
Over the years, GYRM has supported more than 500 graduates and helped launch over 300 new food businesses, strengthening the region’s food economy and expanding what shoppers find on local shelves. Tammy Marquez-Oldham, director of the PCC SBDC, describes the program’s impact simply: “Entrepreneurs walk in with an idea and walk out with a product and a plan, supported by experts and a community that wants them to succeed.” The program’s collaborative model is central to that success. As New Seasons’ Chris Tjersland notes, the partnership reflects a commitment to “building a strong, sustainable local food system” and supporting small producers from the very beginning.
GYRM training program students during the 20th year anniversary celebration
Real Entrepreneurs, Real Growth
Many of the training program’s graduates credit GYRM with helping them refine their products and strengthen their business foundations. Facilitator and program alum Elisa Wickstrom emphasizes that understanding food science is essential: some recipes require adjustments to ensure shelf stability, and the program helps small business owners determine feasibility before investing heavily:
Francine Voit and Nicola Buffo are the dynamic duo behind Pistakio
Francine Voit and Nicola Buffo of Pistakio shared this advice: “The PCC SBDC provided the tools and resources to jump start our business but ultimately, it’s up to you to put the work and hustle for it. If you have the passion and dedication but need the groundwork, then it’s 100% worth it.”
Ashley Renforth of Ms. Spitfire sauces said GYRM helped her navigate labeling, sales sheets, and cost-of-goods calculations — skills that made her product more market-ready. She said, “That was super helpful. I made a lot of great connections in the class.”
Emily Cupo Roat of Emily Ruth’s Kitchen shared that the program helped her “get more confident with our product and see what they would look like on the shelf.”
A Training Program That Continues to Evolve
While GYRM is celebrating its 20th anniversary, the training program’s focus remains forward-looking. Each new cohort brings fresh ideas and new flavors, and the program continues to adapt to an ever-changing food industry.
Get Involved Now
If you are a food small business owner looking to finally bring your recipe to the marketplace, reach out to us to see if Getting Your Recipe to Market is right for you.
The Oregon SBDC Network is funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. Additional funding is provided by the Oregon Business Development Department and Portland Community College. Oregon SBDC services are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis. Language services are available for limited-English-proficient individuals.
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