Farmers’ Market Management Network, Inc. Working cooperatively to enhance Ohio farmers’ markets both large and small to create unity, consistency, and sustainability through collaboration and education.

New Food Safety Website for Ohioans

Thought I would pass this link along as it can be a great resource to help with educating consumers on food safety.  Please check it out http://foodsafety.osu.edu and link to your website if you feel it would assist your consumers.

Thank you,

Christie

Writer:
Martha Filipic
filipic.3@cfaes.osu.edu
614-292-9833

Source:
Janet Buffer, Human Nutrition
jbuffer@ehe.osu.edu
614-247-8388

Lydia Medeiros, Human Nutrition
lmedeiros@ehe.osu.edu
614-292-2699

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohioans now can get [...]

Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program and the WIC Fruit & Veg. Program

Hello Ohio farmers market managers and vendors. I have received a number of questions about the Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program and the WIC Fruit & Vegetable Program. In an effort to assist you with understanding the 2 programs and who can accept the vouchers, Kadie Donahoe from the Ohio Department of Health has [...]

ODA Training on Farmers’ Market Regulation

Attached for your information and use is a joint (ODA and ODH) training announcement which has been sent to all local health departments. The training options will address three separate topics offered at different locations and dates. They include:

1. Farmers’ Markets, Cottage Foods, Home Bakeries and Exemptions for Farm Market Registration;

2. Determining [...]

GAP Training Spring 2010

There are still a few opportunities to participate in Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) training.  Hal Kneen, who presented this information at the Ohio Farmers’ Markets conference in early March will be conducting the training sessions.  Hal does a great job and provides useful information for Ohio growers.  If you are interested in registering and/or checking [...]

ODA and ODH issue opinion for keeping products cold at farmers’ markets

The Retail Food Safety Advisory Council recommended during their meeting on February 23, 2010 that the Director of Agriculture and the Director of Health issue the attached “Letter of Opinion 2010-01”. This Letter of Opinion serves to clarify OAC 3717-1-04.1(KK) in regards to “Cold Holding at Farmers’ Markets and At Temporary and Some Mobile Facilities.”

Unless [...]

Reminder: Non-mechanical refrigeration for Farmers Markets

Final reminder for letters to support the new “letter of opinion” released to us JOINTLY from the ODA and Health Department.  Chuck Kirchner has been an advocate for common sense and apparently he and Doctor Jackson are pushing for the clarification of refrigeration for farmers markets and other temporary locations.
Please read the background details in [...]

Free GAP Training for Farmers Market Sellers

Farmers Market Quality Assurance Workshop

With the increased interest by consumers for safe and wholesome locally produced foods, the number of farmers markets and marketers continues to rise. At the same time, consumers are seeking assurance the produce and baked goods they purchase have been handled in a way that assures [...]

Action Alert: Non-mechanical Refrigeration at Ohio Farmers Markets

Members and friends of the Farmers’ Market Management Network, this is the call for letters to support the new “letter of opinion” released to us JOINTLY from the ODA and Health Department.  Chuck Kirchner has been an advocate for common sense and apparently he and Doctor Jackson are pushing for the clarification of refrigeration that [...]

Public Meeting On FDA Produce Safety Rule

March 11, 2010
Public Meeting On FDA Produce Safety Rule. 8;30 AM -5 PM
The Blackwell Inn, 2110 Tuttle Park Place Columbus, OH 43210
614-247-4077
Contact: Caroline Hubbard, 202-687-2976
cch48@georgetown.edu
www.producesafetyproject.org.

TO REGISTER NOW, GO TO:  http://www.producesafetyproject.org/discussion_series/register

WHO’S INVITED:
Fruit and vegetable growers, extension educators, food retailers, consultants, produce trade association personnel and other interested stakeholders

WHY:
The Food and Drug Administration is going [...]

GAPs Online Produce Safety Course

Do you know any farmers interested in Good Agricultural Practice training opportunities?  FMC just received an announcement that the next GAPs Online Produce Safety Course will begin February 10 and will run through March 2, 2010. Each course is limited to 25 people. There will be a [...]