GrowNYC’s Wholesale Greenmarket, in partnership with FamilyFarmed.org, Cornell Cooperative Extension, and the NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets, is hosting a special “Wholesale Success” Workshop on Thursday, February 17 9am-5pm at Orange, Suffolk, and Ulster Co. Cooperative Extension Offices to help mid-sized New York produce growers learn how to better access the growing NYC wholesale market for local produce. Each attendee will get a free copy of the comprehensive “Wholesale Success Manual” produced by familyfarmed.org , a $50 value.
The “Wholesale Success” workshop will explore successful wholesaling techniques for mid-sized farms, and will include a NYC wholesale produce buyers panel hosted by Jim Slama of FamilyFarmed.org and a “Meet the Buyers” event where growers can speak to buyers “one-on-one”. Confirmed NYC wholesale buyers for the “buyers’ roundtable” panel and “meet-the buyers” session include Pret A Manger, Chef-Driven Restaurant Group, Riviera Produce, Red Rabbit, Brooklyn Salsa, Youthmarket, and Teri Nichols, which supplies NYC public schools.
The workshop will also include a ”farmer-friendly” overview of on-farm food safety issues and information on the Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) certification process presented by Cornell’s GAPs expert, Betsy Binh, plus information about GAPs audits conducted by NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets’ staff.
The main site for the Wholesale Success workshop will be at the Orange County Cooperative Extension office in Middletown, but farmers may “attend” the meeting via teleconference at the Cooperative Extension offices in Suffolk County (Riverhead) and Ulster County (Kingston) to avoid the need to travel to Orange County.
The February 17 workshop is open to all growers and will take place from 9 am to 5 pm. The cost of the workshop is $10.00 per person, which covers lunch.
The “Wholesale Success” workshop locations are:
Orange County CCE: 18 Seward Ave, 3rd Floor, Middletown (Main site)
Ulster County CCE: 3357 Route 9-W , Highland (Video-conference site)
Suffolk County CCE: 3059 Sound Ave, Riverhead (Video-conference site)
Seating is limited. Growers can reserve a spot by either (1) contacting GrowNYC’s Michael Morris at mmorris@grownyc.org or (917) 838.2309, or (2) visiting www.grownyc.org/wholesale/workshop to register online. Payment will be accepted at the event.
Source: GrowNYC