Food processing
Turning agricultural products into other commodities has the potential to provide income generation opportunities. These opportunities are needed to support the millions of poor families who can no longer make a living from the land alone, as well as people who have no land to farm.
Topics
Dairy
Dairy production covers a range of products from milk, butter, and cheese through to more luxurious products such as...
Food Hygiene and Safety
Food hygiene and safety are a fundamental part of any food processing enterprise whether large or small.
Fruits, Vegetables and Roots
This topic area covers a wide range of produce that have the common themes of value addition and quality assurance...
Herbs and Spices
Herbs and spices can be a high value crop demanding good prices. They are normally dried and packaged before being...
Juices and Drinks
Juices are a popular product to process fruit into and can be done on a relatively small scale. Other drinks are...
Legumes, Beans and Grains
A potentially huge range of crops can be covered under this topic. This section looks at just a few of the options...
Nut Processing and Oil Extraction
This section covers the processing of various nuts which are either sold as whole nuts or further processed into...
Packaging and Bottling
A vital aid to preserving and protecting perishable goods. Appropriate packaging will ensure that products will get...
Pickles and Vinegars
These approaches to preserving fruit and vegetables can be done on a domestic scale but can also be used on a...
Preserves
Preserves such as jams, jellies and marmalades are a traditional way of processing fruits and berries with sugar...
Snack Foods
These foods provide opportunities for small-scale entrepreneurs to improve their income.
Sugar and Honey
Sugar is a significant food ingredient. This section covers the production of different types of sugar at different...
General Resources
Carrying Out a Feasability Study
An idea for a business is not enough to begin production. It is essential to be aware of the different aspects...
Extrusion of Foods
There are two types of extrusion process: cold extrusion, which mixes and shapes foods such as biscuit dough and...
Fermented Foods
Fermented foods include fermented cereal products, alcoholic drinks, fermented dairy products and soybean products...
Food Labelling
Labelling is an important process in the food processing chain. It is the first point of contact between consumer...
Food Processing Building Design
Whether starting from the beginning or converting an existing structure, these notes give relevant guidance.
Food Processing Equipment Design
In this Technical Brief some simple principles are described which can be used to check the design of locally-made...
Food Processing Equipment Design - Conception de Materials Usage Alimentaire
In this Technical Brief some simple principles are described which can be used to check the design of locally-made...
Food Processing in Parcona, Peru
A few handbooks on making jams, yoghurt and fruit nectars were used help the Women's Association of Parcona develop...
How to Find and Keep Customers
A difficult aspect for many small food business owners is finding customers.
How to Find and Keep Customers - Comment se Constituer une Clientéle et la Conserver
A difficult aspect for many small food business owners is finding customers.
How to make Sausages
Most sausages are produced from meat (especially pork and beef) but in some countries, fish sausages are also...
Production Records
Keeping production records is an investment of time and money and, as with all aspects of running a small food...
Quality Control in Food Processing
An essential component of any food processing business, QC protects customers and business whilst ensuring food law...
Smoked Foods
Smoking was originally used to preserve foods such as meats and fish for storage, but now the main reason for...