PORTLAND – A one-day intensive business skills seminar, called Marketing & Other Strategic Pieces, targets businesses in Maine’s food industry with training in three locations throughout the state beginning on Tuesday.

Designed specifically for growers, grocers and value-added food producers, the seminar is supported by a USDA Fund for Rural America grant and coordinated by the Maine Small Business Development Centers. James F. Wilfong, a Maine entrepreneur and business skills instructor, will conduct the training, assisted by Maine SBDC certified business counselors.

The training, designed for businesses that want to refresh their strategic vision, leverage their competitive edge, stay relevant in today’s marketplace and increase profits, uses an interactive format. Marketing & Other Strategic Pieces workshop topics include vision, mission and core values; marketing fundamentals, strategic use of resources, monitoring performance, and identifying and improving processes. Workshop participants will receive a workbook with exercises to help get a new and fresh look at their small businesses.

Marketing & Other Strategic Pieces seminar will be held in all three locations from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., including:

• Sept. 27, Intown Learning Center, 68 High St., Portland

• Sept. 28, Target Technology Incubator, 20 Godfrey Drive, Orono

• Oct. 5, St. Paul Center, Augusta

To register, call Sarah Hutchins at Maine SBDC at 207-780-4420 or 1-800-679-SBDC. On-line registration is also available at www.mainesbdc.org. Cost is $20.