Resources from our Local Food Workshop with Cass County Local Food Policy Council and Cass County ISU Extension, held February 4, 2023 in Atlantic.
Highlights:
1. Food safety and licensing: Expert Kurt Rueber of the Food Bureau of the Iowa Department of Inspection and Appeals will be answering questions on new laws related to licensing. Proper licensing to protect you and your consumers might not be as difficult or scary as it sounds. Whether you're doing a home baking business or want to start selling salsa, Kurt will answer your questions.
2. Wholesale: Are you interested in selling your local food items to grocery stores, restaurants, schools, or food hubs (businesses that aggregate, distribute, and market local food)? Brief overviews of these channels and how to work with them will be provided. Atlantic Hy-Vee's Michael Coffman will also join us to discuss his store's interest in local foods.
3. New Local Foods Resource: Jamie Fowler recently joined Golden Hills RC&D as Local Foods Coordinator serving Southwest Iowa. Meet Jamie and learn about the marketing and business assistance she can provide.
4. How to accept those produce checks at farmers markets: Lots of folks in Cass County and surrounding areas qualify for the Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP), which provides farmers market produce vouchers to lower-income seniors and WIC recipients. Learn how simple it is to get certified to accept these payments if you sell produce at a farmers market or food stand so you can be ready to accept them come summer 2023.
Resources:
Highlights:
1. Food safety and licensing: Expert Kurt Rueber of the Food Bureau of the Iowa Department of Inspection and Appeals will be answering questions on new laws related to licensing. Proper licensing to protect you and your consumers might not be as difficult or scary as it sounds. Whether you're doing a home baking business or want to start selling salsa, Kurt will answer your questions.
2. Wholesale: Are you interested in selling your local food items to grocery stores, restaurants, schools, or food hubs (businesses that aggregate, distribute, and market local food)? Brief overviews of these channels and how to work with them will be provided. Atlantic Hy-Vee's Michael Coffman will also join us to discuss his store's interest in local foods.
3. New Local Foods Resource: Jamie Fowler recently joined Golden Hills RC&D as Local Foods Coordinator serving Southwest Iowa. Meet Jamie and learn about the marketing and business assistance she can provide.
4. How to accept those produce checks at farmers markets: Lots of folks in Cass County and surrounding areas qualify for the Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP), which provides farmers market produce vouchers to lower-income seniors and WIC recipients. Learn how simple it is to get certified to accept these payments if you sell produce at a farmers market or food stand so you can be ready to accept them come summer 2023.
Resources:
