Calling all farmers, buyers, distributors and other participants (and those who want to participate) in Maine’s wholesale food market channels! Do you want to increase your understanding of the current landscape of our northeast wholesale food network, what barriers or challenges or requirements exist, and what best practices help ensure success in entering into or expanding these market channels?
Register here. Free. Beverages and light refreshments will be provided.
Speakers include:
- Producer rep: Kelsey Herrington, Two Farmers Farm
- Buyer rep: Luke Fuller, Lois’ Natural Marketplace
- Distributor rep: Colleen Hanlon-Smith, Daybreak Growers Alliance and Peak Season
- Marketing/Branding rep: Joe Dickson, Lot 49 Advisors
MOFGA is hosting a half-day, in-person forum to share information and experiences, from all perspectives. Conversation and presentations from various sectors will include a farmer/producer (Kelsey Herrington of Two Farmers Farm), a store buyer (Luke Fuller of Lois’ Natural Marketplace), a distributor (Colleen Hanlon-Smith of Peak Season and Daybreak Growers Alliance), and a marketing/branding rep (Joe Dickson of Lot 49 Advisors). This will be a networking event with a moderated group discussion (more than a conference session with formal presentations). All producers, processors, buyers, distributors, ag service providers and others in Maine and the northeast regional wholesale food system are welcome to attend, and bring your ideas, questions and experiences to share!Â
This event (modeled after a forum held in Brattleboro, VT, in November 2024) is intended to build understanding about how to access and expand our regional wholesale markets by hearing and sharing about current requirements and opportunities and building one’s brand. This forum will be followed up by individual technical assistance to those who want professional consultation for expanding their regional wholesale marketing, as well as the creation of a cohort of peer learning to hone skills around the risks and opportunities that they identify.
This work is supported by the Northeast Extension Risk Management project award no. 2024-70027-42540, from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture.