Minnesota Farmers' Market Association

Minnesota Farmers' Market Association

Grower Trainings

Produce Safety Rule of the

Food Safety Modernization Act

We are SO excited! MFMA and MFVGA and MCFP are converging on St. Cloud at the River's Edge Convention Center, Jan. 17 & 18, 2019, where we will all hold our conferences together - and everyone will get to attend any of the workshops offered! Additionally, we are hosting a grower training for produce farmers the day prior to the conferences, on Jan. 16 (see info on that in the column to the right >>>>)

Plus - the trade show will be filled with exhibitors that support all 3 groups - something for everyone!

Online registration coming soon; click here for a quick peek at the workshops scheduled so far.

The Produce Safety Rule is a new law under the auspices of the Food and Drug Administration that provides training for all produce farmers, no matter how big or small. MFMA strongly encourages ALL produce farmers in Minnesota to attend one of these trainings, even if your farm is exempt - it's really great training! Here are some points covered in the training:

Learn where your farm falls under the Produce Safety Rule - check out the Coverage and Exemptions/Exclusions flowchart from the FDA or FSMA and the Produce Safety Rule: does the rule apply to me? , a document created by our educational partners at the University of Minnesota Extension. Farms may fall under one of three categories (covered, qualified exempt, or excluded), with different requirements for each category. Where your farm falls depends on who you sell to, what products you sell, and how much you sell.
Take a Produce Safety Alliance (PSA) Grower Training class. This class is required for farms that are covered under the rule. All growers, including those that may be excluded from the full rule and any others interested in learning about produce safety, Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) and the FSMA Produce Safety Rule are encouraged to attend.

To learn more about FSMA Grower Trainings visit MDA's FSMA Grower Training page or visit their Online Registration Portal to view and register for upcoming trainings. To be notified when new trainings become available please contact MDA at ProduceSafety.MDA@state.mn.us .

Training Date	Training Location
11/09/2018	Bemidji, MN at Beltrami Electric Coop
11/14/2018	Windom, MN at Windom Community Center
11/28/2018	Morris, MN at University of Minnesota Regional Extension Office
12/05/2018	Hutchinson, MN at Days Inn and Suites
12/12/2018	Brooklyn Park, MN at North Hennepin Community College
12/17/2018	St. Paul, MN at Minnesota Farmers Union
01/09/2019	St. Cloud, MN at Rivers Edge Convention Center * Before the Minnesota Organics Conference
01/16/2019	St. Cloud, MN at Rivers Edge Convention Center * Before MFMA's Annual Conference
01/23/2019	Mankato, MN at Country Inn and Suites
01/25/2019	Cloquet, MN at Cloquet Forestry Center
02/06/2019	St. Charles, MN at St. Charles City Hall
02/20/2019	Andover, MN at Bunker Hills Activity Center
03/13/2019	Moorhead, MN at Hjemkomst Center
03/20/2019	Farmington, MN at University of Minnesota Regional Extension Office

Browse our Member Directory*

Click here to find our farmers' market members.

Click here to find our vendor members.

*Already a member and want to update your directory listing? Login and update your profile using the link in the upper right hand corner of our website. Changes made there will update your directory listing.

InsuranceThe Minnesota Farmers’ Market Association offers a group insurance policy exclusively for MFMA member markets and vendors through Advantage 1 Insurance Agency. To learn more about our insurance and to sign up, click here.

Cottage FoodsAre you interested in becoming a Cottage Foods producer? To do so you must take an approved food safety training class and register with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. Click here for more information.

Licensing & Safe SamplingDo I need a license to sell at the farmers' market? Is my food product safe to sample? We collaborate with the Minnesota Departments of Health and Agriculture to help members navigate the complex world of food regulations. Visit our FAQ or ask one of our experts.