WOOSTER, Ohio — A listening session is scheduled for April 30 to hear comments and concerns about the U.S Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) proposed new food safety rules for fresh produce.
The session will be 1 to 4 p.m. in the Shisler Conference Center on the Wooster campus of Ohio State University’s Ohio Agricultural [...]
How Farmers Markets Dodged a Regulatory Bullet in Pennsylvania – Reason.com.
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The new program provides an opportunity for state-inspected meat and poultry processors to ship their products across state lines, helping these small businesses access new markets.
Before, state-inspected meat facilities like these were limited to selling their products within the state. This new program ensures that they meet federal food safety standards, which will be [...]
As you know, producers are responding to skyrocketing demand for local food by increasing production, creating new markets, and launching new businesses. Locally marketed foods accounted for an estimated $4.8 billion in gross sales in 2008, whilethe number of farmers markets nationwide jumped 17 percent in 2011. Despite these growing opportunities, producers face significant infrastructure, [...]
Department of Agriculture Announces Meat Processor License Suspension Facility in Strasburg no longer permitted to process, sell meat REYNOLDSBURG, Ohio (February 10, 2012) – The Ohio Department of Agriculture has suspended the processing license of Olde Strasburg Meats located at 1317 N. Wooster Ave. in Strasburg, Ohio. The establishment’s license, ODA Est. #21, was suspended [...]
An update from FMC, for farmers’ markets that accept SNAP:
Earlier this year, IRS issued a final rule on “Information Reporting Requirements Payments Made in Settlement of Payment Cards and Third Party Network Transactions” (6050W for short). Many of you have been eagerly awaiting a final word regarding the reporting obligations of markets operating scrip [...]
The USDA is currently collecting nominations for the Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee. [...]
A few short weeks ago, the Farmers Market Coalition became aware of a new Final Rule related to IRS reporting requirements for electronic transactions. This regulation, ‘Information Reporting for Payments Made in Settlement of Payment Card and Third Party Network Transactions,’ (6050W, for short) requires that all payments, including EBT, debit, and credit sales, be [...]
Ohio Action Alert
Two weeks ago, the House passed its spending bill (“continuing resolution”) for Fiscal Year 11 – the year we’re in right now. Their bill would cut over $5.2 BILLION from agriculture – a disproportionate share of the budget! (a 22% cut, compared with 6% from other sectors.)
While the bill does not [...]
On February 14th, 2011, President Obama released his proposed budget for FY 2012. Despite more than $3.2 billion in proposed discretionary cuts to the overall USDA Budget, the President showed some Valentine’s Day love for farmers markets by including $4 million in his proposed budget for USDA Food and Nutrition Service for providing wireless POS [...]
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Our next board meeting will be Monday June 17th, 2013 at 8am via web/phone conference. Members are encouraged to participate e-mail for details.
The Ohio Farmers' Market Handbook: Order your copy >>
Includes a planning guide on starting a farmers' market in your community plus regulation resources and best practices for growing and running a successful farmers market in Ohio.
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