Farmers’ Market Vendor Workshop Agenda

Farm & Forest Expo

February 7, 2003

9:00 – 9:50 NH Farmers’ Market Association Board Meeting

9:50 – 10:00 Opening Remarks

Amy Ouellette, UNHCE & Jack Potter, NHFMA or Gail McWilliam-Jellie, NHDAMF

10:00 – 11:00 Attractive Farmers’ Market Displays

Nada Haddad, UNHCE: Nada has traveled statewide doing critiques for farmers’ markets. She will share pictures of her favorite displays and offer suggestions on successful and safe displays.

11:00 – 11:45 Food Safety at Farmers’ Markets

Catherine Violette, UNHCE: Catherine is an Extension Specialist of Food Safety. She will discuss general food safety, focusing on food storage, handling, and sampling at farmers’ markets.

11:45 – 12:15 5 A Day Fruit & Vegetable Program

Mindy Fitterman, NH Health and Human Services, Bureau of Nutrition & Health Promotion: Mindy will talk to farmers’ market vendors about promoting vegetable and fruit sales with help of the 5 A Day promotion.

12:15 – 1:00 Lunch Break

Food is available for sale on the premises.

1:00 –1:15 Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program Highlights

Regina Flynn, Department of Health & Human Services, Bureau of Nutrition & Health Promotion: Regina will discuss the WIC and Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Programs.

1:15 – 2:00 New National Organic Program Highlights

Vickie Smith, NHDAMF, Bureau of Markets: Vickie will summarize changes from NH’s certified organic program to the new national organic program (NOP).

2:00 – 2:30 Insurance Ideas for Farmers’ Market Vendors

Dick White, Clyde B. Foss Agency, Inc.: Dick will discuss some insurance options for farmers’ market vendors.

2:30 – 3:30 Scales, Bunches and Pints – Measurements of Produce

Richard Cote, NHDAMF, Bureau of Weights & Measures: Richard will discuss legal methods of weighing and selling food.

3:30 – 4:15 Food Licensing

Royann Bossidy, NH Health & Human Services, Bureau of Food Protection: Royann will review NH licensing requirements for sale of food at farmers’ markets and farm stands.

4:15 – 4:35 Bringing Animals to Farmers’ Markets for Sale or Petting

Dr. Clifford McGinnis, Division of Animal Industry, NH Department of Agriculture: Dr. McGuinnes will discuss human and animal safety precautions for farmers’ markets.

4:35 – 4:50 MicroCredit-NH

Cary Gladstone, Marketing Outreach Coordinator, MicroCredit-NH: Cary will provide an overview of MicroCredit-NH which provides small loans (with no collateral or credit checks) that banks cannot provide. This helps microbusiness owners develop business credit. Loans start at $500 and increase to $10,000.

4:50 – 5:30 Panel Discussion on Farmer’s Market Organization