Maker Prep Course

Learn to do business in the food industry in six months

Winter FancyFaire* Registration

Meet the Summer 2025 Graduates

Calling all early-stage food entrepreneurs!

Your ideas and your passion are key to the specialty food industry’s continued growth, and the Specialty Food Association wants to help you turn your product and story into success. 

Maker Prep is a six-month course on doing business in the food industry, including in-person education and networking, self-paced learning, expert coaching, and post-graduation opportunities to support your growth.

Together, we shape the future of food.

What’s Included

Member Pricing - $199  /  Non-Member Pricing - $599

  • One-year Tier 1 SFA membership (for non-members)
  • Badge for two SFA trade shows, the kick-off Show and graduation Show for your Class
  • Six months of self-paced learning, including:
    • Monthly coaching meetings, hosted virtually by food industry veterans and experts
    • A dedicated LinkedIn Group with your cohort for brainstorming, questions, and ideas
    • Unlimited access to online educational materials during the course and weekly strategic prompts
    • Copies of all educational materials shared during in-person sessions


Registration for Maker Prep Is Now Open!

The next cohort will kick off at Winter FancyFaire* 2026, and be capped at 100 participants.

Members - $199 / Non Members - $599


Enroll Now via Show Registration

Register under your business type, then select Maker Prep at checkout to enroll.


How the Course Works

In-Person Cohort Kickoff

We begin with two days of in-person educational sessions and networking with peers and experts. You'll also have the chance to explore the show and what to expect when you're ready to exhibit.


Online Learning & Coaching

Over six months, you'll move through key topics and strategic prompts with your cohort. You'll also have access to an industry expert in monthly coaching sessions and your peers through your dedicated LinkedIn Group. 



Graduation & Grad Package

Graduates will be celebrated in an in-person ceremony and unlock exclusive business-building opportunities, including discounts on exhibit space and marketing promotion on SFA's website and onsite at events.


Questions? Email the SFA Education Team

  • "The Maker Prep program came at the perfect time for me as I was getting ready to launch my food business. Beyond the helpful coursework and coaching sessions, the program was great for expanding my CPG network and for building relationships with other founders in my cohort."

    -Rawia Abdelsamad, The Levantine Kitchen LLC 

  • "I highly recommend this program to anyone who is serious about launching a brand in the Specialty Food space! The access to a network of buyers, brands and vendors in the space and the detailed coursework of every important part of the business have been most helpful to me."

    Shyela Malani, Muria Foods 

  • "As a startup founder with limited time, I love that I can complete the course at my own pace... Through education and the community SFA cultivates, I know I can move forward with confidence in my startup journey." 

    -Caroline McGinley, La Gringuita Cookies 

  • sfa maker prep
    The Makers Prep Kickoff at the Fancy Food Show was STELLAR, and the SFA wasted no time in delivering high-quality, actionable content. I was impressed and energized by what I learned and the connections I made. I'm excited for the months ahead in the program, and I already feel like I made a worthwhile investment. 
    — Lexx Mills, Revvl 
  • sfa maker prep

    The first two days have already exceeded my expectations. I’ve already implemented a handful of lessons learned in our salad dressing business, Big Mama's Foods. Kudos to the team that launched this program at the Specialty Food Association. I’m excited for all the learning opportunities over the next six months!

    — Ethan Shapiro, Big Mama's Foods

  • sfa maker prep

    The people in this group are in a variety of specialty food journeys but they get it and it's empowering. The speakers gave me more information than I could have ever looked for on my own in those 2 days of sessions alone and the openness of industry experts to share their knowledge was an indescribable feeling. 

    — Grace Ureña, Un Chin Seasoning Co. 


Sample Course Schedule

KickoffImmersive sessions at the Fancy Food Show 
Section I Product Development 
Food Safety 
Co-Packing 

Break / Catch-Up 
Section IIBranding
Funding Your Business
Pricing & Trade Spending 

Break / Catch-Up
Section IIISupply Chain & Logistics 
Trade Channels
E-Commerce

Break / Catch-Up 
Section IVSelling

Break / Catch-Up
Section VWorking with Distributors
Marketing

Prep for the Fancy Food Show 
GraduationReconnect at the Fancy Food Show

 


Get Started at Winter FancyFaire* 2026!

Register Now

Register under your business type, then select Maker Prep at checkout to enroll.