MDA to Host 2011 Farmers Market Conference

ANNAPOLIS, MD (Jan. 11, 2011) – The Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) will host the annual Maryland Farmers’ Market Conference on February 16 and 17 to gather farmers’ market stakeholders and provide information on state regulations.  Sessions will include: food safety, social marketing regulations, and promotional opportunities for the 2011 market season.  The two-day event will be held at the new Baltimore County Agricultural Resource Center in Cockeysville.  Conference participants can participate in one or both days.

The first day (Feb. 16) is targeted to market managers and will focus on Maryland health and food regulations, using social marketing, accepting SNAP at market, insurance options, and a presentation of the Sticky Economic Evaluation Device (SEED) market evaluation tool by an expert from New Orleans. Learn how to use this free tool to measure and report on your market’s economic impact in your community.

Feb. 17 sessions are aimed at market farmers and will focus on training for Maryland Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program, Fruit and Vegetable checks, and good agricultural practices (GAPs), plus sessions on Maryland health and food regulations, mediation services, and crop insurance opportunities.

Farmers’ markets have multiplied due to the increase in demand for fresh, local food and will continue to expand.  Anyone involved with or interested in the operations of farmers’ markets should plan to attend the 2011 Farmers’ Market Conference.

MDA’s Marketing Division supports farmers’ market development, fosters links between farmers and consumers through the Maryland’s Best branding program, and administers the Farmers’ Market Nutrition Programs which provide checks to buy fresh produce for nutritionally at-risk women, infants, children and income-eligible senior citizens while increasing sales for farmers.

The deadline to register for the conference is February 12. Contact Amy Crone at 410-841-5770 for more information or register online.