Best Practices at Farmers’ Markets – Improving Food Safety and Market Growth!
With consumers’ growing interest in fresh produce consumption and support of local community, the number of farmers’ markets has significantly increased over the past decade. In Florida, it is estimated that over 230 farmers’ markets operate in the state. With their steady growth, farmers’ markets have become an important source of revenues for farmers of small-sized operations. However, the increasing popularity has also raised food safety concerns for produce sold at farmers’ markets. Learning best practices for food safety and developing appropriate control measures will improve the safety of food sold at farmers’ markets and increase its marketability.
This workshop is intended to provide the farmers’ market managers and vendors with information on current food safety issues associated with farmers’ markets, best food safety practices at both farms and markets, and state regulatory requirements for cottage food products and farmers’ markets. In addition, this workshop provide information on farmers’ market consumer trends and strategic planning for marketing. The target audience is Florida farmers’ market managers, vendors, and any farmers and cottage food operators who are interested in selling their food at farmers’ markets. Registration includes course materials, lunch, coffee breaks and certificate of training completion. Please register early, as course size will be limited to the first 40 registrants due to the room capacity.
Parking spots for the workshop participants will be available at the venue.
The instructor team for this course is comprised of University of Florida faculty and representatives from the Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services (FDACS) and Florida Organic Growers (FOG).
This workshop is partially supported by Ocala/Marion County Chamber & Economic Partnership and Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services (FDACS) Specialty Crop Block Grant.
Date: April 10, 2017 9:00 AM-4:00 PM
Location: Ocala Power Plant Business Incubator | 405 SE Osceola Ave, Ocala, FL
Admission: If registered by Mar 31st, the registration fee for the course is $40. From Apr 1st, the fee will be $50.
Event website: eventbrite.com
