March 18, 2024

Free farmers market workshop to be held

CRESTON — Southern Iowa Local Foods Initiative, under the umbrella of Southern Iowa Resource Conservation and Development, will host a free farmers’ market workshop for aspiring and current farmers’ market vendors and managers, 1 to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, at A&G Steakhouse and Lounge, 211 W. Adams St., in Creston.

Kurt Reuber from Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals will talk about farmers’ market regulations and the new Food Safety Act.

Paul Ovrom from Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship will talk about the Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program and how vendors and farmers’ markets can become SNAP, EBT, FMNP and SFMNP certified.

Alexi Groumoutis, local foods coordinator from Southern Iowa Local Foods Initiative will give a GAPS (Good Agricultural Practices) overview and share upcoming GAPS workshops.

She will also moderate a peer-to-peer session with local specialty crop farmers and growers to understand concerns, underlying needs and questions regarding farmers’ markets.

For more information go to the Southern Iowa Resource Conservation and Development web page or contact Alexi Groumoutis at 641-782-4033 or email her at alexi.groumoutis@southerniowarcd.org.

This workshop is sponsored by Southern Iowa RC&D Area Inc., a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization and the Farmers’ Market Promotion Program.