Important “Specialty Food Conference” Micro Goes to Market” coming up on Wednesday, May 28th!

WATSONVILLE, Calif. - May 10, 2014 - PRLog -- Are you… or do you want to become… a successful specialty or artisanal food entrepreneur? There's no better place to grow food, explore food innovations or market food than in California. And, that means great opportunity!

CAMEO (California Association for Micro Enterprise Opportunity) has teamed up with the National Specialty Foods Association and other local organizations to offer up a full day of focus on the specialty food industry, including business and marketing opportunities, financing and policy.

Attendees will learn:

-       What are micro food enterprises

-       How to stay viable and competitive

-       Where to secure financing

And, they can also:

-       Showcase their own food product if they want

-       Network with other regional food entrepreneurs

At a Glance:

What:         Specialty Food Conference: Micro Goes to Market

Where: Watsonville Civic Plaza 275 Main Street, 4th Floor, Watsonville, CA

When: Wednesday, May 28, 2014, 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. followed by a Networking Reception at El Parajo CDC’s Commercial Kitchen Incubator at 412 Riverside Drive in Watsonville from 4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Entrepreneurs are invited to showcase their food product at the networking reception. If interested, contact El Pájaro CDC for details info@elpajarocdc.org 831‐722‐1224

Also, Spanish translation will be provided.

Who/Sponsors:         CAMEO, Specialty Foods Association, El Pajaro Community Development Corporation, California Farmlink, The Agriculture and Land-based Training Association (ALBA,) Central Coast SBDC, small food entrepreneurs

Cost: $30

For information and to register:http://www.microbiz.org/programs/micro-goes-to-market/

Email: Andrew Cole acole@microbiz.org

Phone: Heidi Pickman (310) 392-0211

Carmen Herrerea-Mansir, (831) 722-1224 ext.15

CAMEO (California Association for Micro Enterprise Opportunity) is a network of 85 nonprofit micro-business development organizations that served 21,000 very small businesses with training, business technical assistance and microloans.   These businesses create or retain about 35,000 jobs and generate about $1.5 billion in economic activity. CAMEO and the Specialty Food Association will examine how to establish a ‘pro-business/slow growth’ economy that supports and recognizes job creation through food entrepreneurship

El Pajaro Community Corporation- El Pajaro CDC’s mission is to promote equal access to economic opportunity is offering a program designed to empower women and men to succeed in business.

El Pajaro CDC offers low-cost trainings for people who want to start a business or have a small business they would like to improve or formalize. This is an opportunity for people to become their own boss.

Carmen Herrera-Mansir, Executive Director of El Pajaro CDC, states: “We are so excited to offer this valuable information to entrepreneurs in the region. It is a great time to start a specialty food-based enterprise if you have the right training and advise!”

For more information about the El Pajaro CDC, call Carmen Herrera-Mansir at (831) 721-1224 extension 15.