The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services will host a Lunch 'n’ Learn workshop Sept. 21 offering tips to food business owners and co-packers to help improve profitability.

The short course, “Building a Better Bottom Line: Controlling Costs and Improving Profits for Your Food Business,” will be held from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Donald Eaddy Building at 4300 Reedy Creek Road. The workshop is limited to 25 people and costs $15, which includes lunch.

Class attendees will cover cost analysis using financial statements, pricing strategies to handle increasing costs and reviewing purchasing options.

The registration deadline is Sept. 16, and the registration fee must be submitted by this date. Registration information is online at www.ncagr.gov/markets/agribiz/. Walk-ins will not be accepted for this class. Make checks payable to N.C. Ag Promotions Inc., and mail to: Annette Dunlap, NCDA&CS Division of Marketing, 1020 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1020.

“We are seeing more and more value-added producers bringing products to market, which is exciting,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “We also know that many shoppers today are very price conscious, so we want to give these producers tips and tools to help them be successful. This workshop is ideal for anyone who produces value-added food products in a certified home or shared-use kitchen.”

For more information, contact Annette Dunlap, NCDA&CS agribusiness developer, at (919) 707-3117 or annette.dunlap@ncagr.gov.