Next Monday, January 9th, the University of Illinois Extension starts off the first of a series of programs focused around Specialty Food Businesses. Amanda Cole, County Extension Director of the U of I Extension, said January's program is more of an overview where they'll be discussing how to start a specialty food business, such as developing a business plan and setting up a business structure that will be most successful. Cole said this program is geared toward people who are or want to be in the process of growing specialty food.

Cole said she doesn't expect many people to come to every program of the series because people are at different stages of their food business. She said there's no pressure for the participants to come to all of the programs, but come to the one's that will benefit them the most.

Cole appeared on the NEWSTALK WTIM Morning Show.