Richard Schmitz Food Entrepreneurship Series

The Richard R. and Mary L. Schmitz Endowment for Opportunities in Food Entrepreneurship was founded in 1999. The fund supports an annual lecture by industry experts in the category of food entrepreneurship. This includes executives within a broad range of food processing, retailing and wholesaling industries.

This series provides an opportunity for Minnesota State University, Mankato’s College of Business to engage the growing sector of Agri-business with our students, alumni and friends in a format that educates the community about growing needs in the agriculture world.

2023

Upcoming event on March 16, 2023

Join us for the Richard Schmitz Food Entrepreneurship Lecture Series featuring Christine Lantinen, '98 owner and President of Maud Borup. Maud Borup is a wholesale manufacturer specializing in gourmet candy, confections, and snacks for specialty and mass retailers. Christine is leading the way and introducing new and indulgent products to Maud Borup, a woman and veteran-owned business with dedication to sustainability. Learn about her entrepreneurship journey and get a taste of Maud Borup.

Learn more about Christine and Maud Borup on the event page

NEW FOR 2023!

Open House Featuring Maud Borup Leadership Team

Thursday, March 16, 2023

Students can stop in anytime between 9:00 am – 10:30 am

Johnson Alumni Room- (TC114)

Business casual preferred (no registration required)

Meet with the Maud Borup Leadership Team for an open house before the official event! Talk one-on-one with the Chief Communications Officer, Director of Operations, Director of Sales, VP of Operations, and the Director of Sourcing!

2022

The 2022 event featured Julie Curtis, owner and President of Curtis Food Recruiters.

Watch the Event video and learn more here

2021

The 2021 event was held virtually on March 24 featuring Kristin Duncanson, Highland Family Farms, and Sheryl Meshke, AMPI, Inc.

View the event video

View the event page and learn more

2019: Catalyst for Change featuring Frank Jackman, COB alum and Co-Founder of Local Crate- Watch the presentation here
2018: Live Out Loud, Angie Bastian, Boom Chicka Pop - watch the entire presentation here
2016: Mark Davis, Davis Family Holdings
2015: Glenn Stolt, Christensen Farms
2014: Dave Rettig, Rembrandt Foods
2011: Dan & Angie Bastian, Angie’s Artisan Treats

View past photos of the events

About Richard Schmitz

Richard R Schmitz grew up in small town of Brewster, Minnesota and was the first in his family to attend college. He graduated in 1964 from Minnesota State Mankato with a B.S. in Accounting.

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He used his business and accounting background in the Food Retailing Business with Red Owl Stores in Hopkins, Minnesota as an auditor.

In 1973 purchased a retail food store in Olivia, Minnesota. Acquired and ran a total of five stores in 1985 in Duluth, Minnesota and Hudson, Wisconsin. In 2003 owned two large Food Stores in Hudson and Wausau, Wisconsin and sold them and retired from the business.

His business was recognized as Business of the Year in Hudson, Wisconsin in 1992.
He was recognized as a Distinguished Alumni of Minnesota State University, Mankato with the Harold J Fitterer Service Award in 2002.

He has served as Chamber of Commerce President in Olivia, Minnesota in 1978, Chairman of Wisconsin Grocers Association 2000 and was the President of the Minnesota State Mankato Foundation Board.