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This winter, the University of Maryland Extension (UME) - Maryland SNAP-Ed Program is partnering with the Agriculture Law Education Initiative (ALEI) to offer free workshops for farmers’ market managers and vendors. Separate sessions will be offered for market managers and for farmer vendors, to provide best practices in food safety and in marketing to increase healthy food access, increase customer base, and increase revenue by selling more. This program is appropriate for new and returning market managers preparing for spring openings and for vendors who want a refresher on food safety practices and acceptance of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
The two-hour virtual sessions will include information about identifying and preventing food safety risks at farmers markets. According to Sarah Everhart, ALEI Senior Legal Specialist, “We feel it is extremely important to educate farmers market managers so they can communicate and enforce food safety best practices and ensure that the food sold at the market is both high quality and safe. We also know that market managers have a lot to juggle so we strive to put food safety information into easy-to-use checklists, and attendees will have access to these resources.”
Lynn Rubin Traversa, MD SNAP-Ed Statewide Healthy Food Systems Coordinator explains, “Farmers Markets and farm stands are essential healthy food access sites. Increasing access to local, healthy food for all shoppers through best practices in marketing and promotion benefits the farmer, the local economy, and the consumer - it’s a win-win for everyone!”
Attendees will be eligible to receive a Farmers Market Food Safety Compliance Kit that includes signage, checklists, and more! Portable handwashing stations are also available for markets that did not receive one last year. Attendees may also request a free MD SNAP-Ed nutrition education resource kit to make healthy food access changes at markets and at vendor booths.
Registration is required for these free workshops - please click on a link below to complete the registration and save your spot for a market manager or farmer vendor session.
Market Manager Workshop - pick the day/time that works best for you - 2 options to choose from:
January 19, 2022: 10 am - 12 pm - Click here to register
February 9, 2022: 7 pm - 9 pm - Click here to register
Farmer Vendor Workshop pick the day/time that works best for you - 2 options to choose from:
January 31, 2022: 10 am - 12 pm - Click here to register
February 16, 2022: 7 pm - 9 pm - Click here to register
After registering for one of the free workshops, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Anyone with questions about attending a training session may contact Lynn Rubin Traversa, MD SNAP-Ed Healthy Food Systems Coordinator lrubin@umd.edu