Holiday Closure Notice: Entrepreneurial Initiative for Food Program
Please note our upcoming holiday schedules, in alignment with the University Holiday Calendar:
- Thanksgiving Week: Response times will be delayed while the lab is closed.
- Winter Break Closure: The lab will be closed from Monday, December 21st through Friday, January 1st.
Important Sample Submission Guidelines:
- Monday, December 14th: Final deadline to receive 2026 product samples.
- Monday, January 4th, 2027: Lab reopens and physical sample receiving resumes.
Our Online Request Form will remain active during the break. However, please do not ship physical samples during the closure, as packages will not be accepted through University mail or reviewed until the week of Monday, January 4th, 2027.
Thank you for allowing us to assist you throughout 2026. We look forward to working with you in 2027!
Our Mission
The Entrepreneur Initiative for Food (EI4F) program ensures individuals and firms transform agriculture commodities into safe, nutritious, and value-added food and beverage products. The mission of EI4F is to help small food business owners and prospective entrepreneurs make informed decisions leading to greater economic development and job creation.
The Entrepreneurial Program
Since 1992, the Department of Food, Bioprocessing and Nutrition Sciences’ Food Entrepreneur Assistance Program and its partners have helped small business owners and prospective entrepreneurs make better decisions concerning the safe manufacture and processing of quality food products. In that time, thousands of individuals and companies have utilized the program's services, knowledge, and expertise.
Now called the Entrepreneur Initiative for Food (EI4F), this program ensures individuals and firms transform agriculture commodities into safe, nutritious, and value-added food and beverage products. The mission of EI4F is to help small food business owners and prospective entrepreneurs make informed decisions that lead to greater economic development and job creation.
Contact us
foodbusiness@ncsu.edu
919.513.2090