| Minnesota Farmers' Market Association |
Blazing Trails Local Food Regulations Training Series Critical for Food Farmers and Food Makers
(CLICK HERE FOR SPANISH VERSION)
Minnesota, October 13, 2022—In order to assist the rapidly growing local foods movement in Minnesota, six dates are set for important training in food regulation. “Blazing Trails Through the Jungle of Food Regulations” training is designed to provide access to information and resources on how to navigate food regulations pertaining to local food, to improve our food system. Information on important topics such as food safety, ‘product of the farm’ exclusion from licensing, the ‘cottage food law’ exemption from licensing, and the differences between MDA and MDH food licenses will all be covered.
“The world of food regulations can be confusing,” says Kathy Zeman, Blazing Trails trainer, direct marketing farmer, and executive director of the Minnesota Farmers’ Market Association. “Blazing Trails provides clear explanations and reasoning for the rules and guidelines which govern our food system.’
“As a farmer, food entrepreneur, or local food advocate, understanding the legal aspects of our food system is really important,” says Jane Jewett, Blazing Trails trainer and associate director of the Minnesota Institute for Sustainable Agriculture. “Minnesotans in the sustainable ag and local food space are doing great work. We want to support and ensure their work is successful, without difficulties along the way,”
The half-day training is scheduled for 6 separate offerings (same training, six separate dates).
Registration is $10 and open to anyone with a passion for local farmers and local food who wants additional information on food regulations. Possible attendees include SHIP coordinators, Extension educators, farm group leaders, school board members, school food service directors, economic development staff, public health staff, farmers, restaurant owners, and farmers’ market operators. Anyone is welcome. Registration is now open at: www.mfma.org/Events
Blazing Trails is sponsored by the Minnesota Institute for Sustainable Agriculture (MISA) and the Minnesota Farmers’ Market Association (MFMA). For more information, contact Kim Guenther, MFMA Communications Director at kguenther@mfma.org.
About the Minnesota Farmers’ Market Association
The Minnesota Farmers’ Market Association (MFMA) provides services, programs, and leadership that support and promote farmers’ markets across Minnesota. The organization works to foster a community of vibrant, profitable and professionally managed Minnesota farmers’ markets that cultivate, nourish and inspire a vibrant local foods landscape. The MFMA vision is to create greater accessibility to local, farm-fresh foods and to allow opportunities for local food producers to thrive and grow.
About Minnesota Institute for Sustainable Agriculture
The Minnesota Institute for Sustainable Agriculture (MISA) is a partnership between the University of Minnesota's College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences, University of Minnesota Extension, and the Sustainers' Coalition. The purpose of MISA is to bring together the diverse interests of the agricultural community with interests from across the University community in a cooperative effort to develop and promote sustainable agriculture in Minnesota and beyond.
MFMA provides services, programs, and leadership that support and promote farmers' markets
across Minnesota and our Tribal Nations.
We envision a community of vibrant, profitable, and professionally managed Minnesota farmers’ markets that:
Cultivates, nourishes, and inspires a vibrant local foods community;
provides accessibility to all to local farm fresh foods;
allows local food producers to thrive and grow.
Engagement & Inclusion Director: Sina War /// sina@mfma.org /// (612) 695-6587
Local Foodshed Database Manager: Maeve Mallozzi-Kelly /// maeve@mfma.org /// (574) 310-5553
Executive Director: Kathy Zeman /// kzeman@mfma.org /// (507) 664-9446
Minnesota Farmers' Market Association /// 9800 155th Street East, Nerstrand MN 55053 /// info@mfma.org
Copyright MFMA 2024