Getting into Local Foods workshop

 
  From the January 14, 2019 issue of Agri-News
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 Learn about the opportunities and challenges of selling food direct-to-consumers during this one-day workshop on Tuesday, January 22 in Wetaskiwin. Karen Goad, farm direct marketing specialist with Alberta Agriculture and Forestry (AF), outlines what workshop participants can expect.

The topics to be covered during the workshop include an overview the scope of the local food opportunity and the pros and cons of the different direct-to-consumer market channels, such as farmers’ markets, on-farm retail, or box program.

“A fair chunk of the day is devoted to introducing the new entrepreneurs to those service providers and agencies who enforce the regulations that are in place to create and sell food products in Alberta,” says Goad. “We are introducing participants to those representatives so that the new entrepreneurs know the rules and the regulations before they start their businesses. The can get any questions answered about what the rules might be or how they might apply to their particular business idea.”

Goad says that the workshop will also highlight some of the government resources that are available to help rural entrepreneurs in the Wetaskiwin/Central Alberta area. “To really get these new businesses off on a really strong footing, we will also be looking at food safety resources and business development services, for instance, our new venture specialist services.”

“The other area that we will look at really briefly is the gold standard question that we get and that is around financing. What grants may be available, and what are some financing options. What do the different types of financing options mean as you develop your business, and really, where to start.”

The final presentation features central Alberta producer Jennifer Forth from Forth Haven Farms. She will share her story, including how she started and developed her business, and some of the challenges she has encountered along the way.

“We have found that is a really great way to wrap up the day and put everything that has been covered in terms of what the regulations are and the size and the scope of the opportunity and how to actually implement it,” says Goad. “Having that producer-speaker give their perspective provides a real impetus to people to take that next step and actually get started.”

The workshop is a partnership between the Wetaskiwin area Joint Economic Development Initiative (JEDI), REACH and AF’s Explore Local team.

Register for the Getting into Local Foods workshop January 22 in Wetaskiwin. Deadline to register is January 14. For more information, call Joan at 780-361-6231.

Contact:
Karen Goad
780-538-5629

 
 
 
 
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For more information about the content of this document, contact Karen Goad.
This document is maintained by Christine Chomiak.
This information published to the web on January 4, 2019.