Local Food Columbus » Farmer’s Markets
Guide for Opening Farmers’ Markets on Federal Property
Guide for Opening Farmers’ Markets on Federal Property The U. S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service released “Opening a Farmers Market on Federal Property: A Guide for Market Operators and Building Managers” (PDF/262KB). The publication was jointly published by the Urban Development/Good Neighbor Program of General Services Administration, which administers most federal buildings. This publication discusses the issues involved in locating a farmers’ market on federal property: security, insurance needs, parking, the use of utilities and amenities, and all the other things you need to consider. It tells who to contact for information, points to some helpful government Web sites and offices, and offers case studies of successful farmers’ markets on public property. http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/getfile?dDocName=STELPRDC5079490&acct=wdmgeninfo … Read entire article »
Filed under: Farmer's Markets
Free Webinar EBT and Farmers Markets
EBT and Farmers Markets: Practical Advice from Successful Programs Wednesday, September 16, 2009 from 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM (ET) This is a free webinar hosted by The Farmers Market Coallition. Details and Registration … Read entire article »
Filed under: Farmer's Markets, Meetings & Events
ODA New Cottage Rules
It’s official. The new Ohio Dept. of Ag Cottage food rules were released. The rules now allows for a variety of new foods to be home produced, without the need for an inspected commerical kitchen. This opens up opportunities for small food producers to expand into new areas with little overhead cost. It also expands new products available to consumers at farmers’ markets and similar venues. The new rules are available in (pdf document) at the ODA web site: New Cottage Food Rules. The current food saftey rules ORC 3715 can be found here. … Read entire article »
Filed under: Farmer's Markets, Local Food Processing, Policy and Regulation
Veggie Van is Around Town
Local Matter’s Veggie Van will be making the rounds around town with their fresh local veggies in underserved neighborhoods. See the schedule of Veggie-Van-Sites-Summer-2009 (pdf) … Read entire article »
Filed under: Farmer's Markets, Local Food & Recipes
Cottage food expansion gets support at public hearing
On Wednesday, May 13th the ODA held the public hearing on expanding the list of “Cottage” foods (see that article). A number of farmer’s market managers and vendors spoke in support of the rule change. No one spoke in opposition. Several witnesses spoke of the economic benefits of new small businesses that can now start in the home kitchen with little capital and grow sustainably. The rule will expand opportunity for small farmers to produce the more profitable value-added products, previously reserved for those with access to a commercial kitchen. Officials at the ODA are optimistic about the passage of the rule. Patti Haden, of Ohio Proud, in a memo shortly after the hearing, said “The new rule should be in place by mid-June, 2009.” We will be following this story and … Read entire article »
Filed under: Farmer's Markets, Local Food Processing, Policy and Regulation
Starting and running a farmers’ market
Many small and new farmers market their products at farmers’ markets. A sustainable local food system will require more small farmers and more ways for those farms to remain viable by marketing their goods direct to consumers. We need more farmers’ markets in our communities. OSU South Centers have a good resource on starting and running a farmers’ market in Ohio. Their training materials are online. If you have any interest in farmers’ markets take a look. OSU South Centers Farmers’ Market Training Program Materials The Small Farm Center at University of California also has some useful publications that can be downloaded for free: Farmers Market Management Series Volume 1: Starting a New Farmers Market Farmers Market Management Series Volume 2: Management Skills for Market Managers Farmers Market Management Series Volume 3: Growing Your Farmers Market Food … Read entire article »
Filed under: Farmer's Markets
Small Farmer marketing options
Currently local food consists of a relatively small number of farmers selling direct at farmers markets and via their own CSAs. While this works well, it has limitations as the demand for good local food grown by small farmers increases. I would like to explore new creative ways that farmers can sell direct to consumers. 1. Create new farmers markets in every neighborhood for local sustainably grown food, each with business model to fit the needs of the community. 2. Create new types of sales venues for farmers that address the logistical limitations of traditional farmers’ markets. Perhaps this could be achieved with small local-food-only stores with a format like a farmers market where each farmer has a booth (only without having to be there all the time) . Displayed with the … Read entire article »
Filed under: Farmer's Markets
Farmer’s Market Community Foods Consignment
An interesting concept at community food bank in Arizona that runs community gardens and farmer’s markets in underserved areas. They have a program where home gardeners and local farmers can sign up and drop off produce at the stand to be sold on consignment. No resold produce all must be grown locally by the participant. This allows small backyard gardeners, who may only have occasional small amounts of produce, to contribute to the food security of their neighborhoods. The farmer’s markets that the food banks hosts all accept food stamps. Community Food Bank Consignment Program Posted by: Mayda … Read entire article »
Filed under: Farmer's Markets, Food Pantries, New Farmers
Winter Salad Greens
This lovely winter salad consists of all local ingredients procured on Saturday, Jan. 24th at the Columbus Winter Farmers Market. It has baby spinach from Carousel Watergardens Farm, sunflower greens and mung bean sprouts from Frijolito Farm and raw goat cheese feta from Osage Lane Creamery. The greens and sprouts were fresh and crisp and the feta cheese gave it that extra kick. This was available in January in Ohio. Who needs high-carbon-footprint lettuce from across the country? … Read entire article »
Filed under: Farmer's Markets, Local Food & Recipes
Interview with Vilsack, Obama’s pick for Ag Secretary
This entry by Brian Depew on Tue, 12/16/2008 on Blog for Rural America provides some insight on how Vilsack will fare on issues important to sustainable minded small farmers. It is encouraging. Although his enthusiasm for biotech is one of his major negatives, he does address some of those issues in this interview. Vilsack Appointed Ag Secretary, Interview Redux | Center for Rural Affairs. by Mayda … Read entire article »
Filed under: Farmer's Markets, Food Pantries, New Farmers, Policy and Regulation
