Monday, March 22, 2010

McIntosh, MN “Farm to Cafeteria” Workshop: Bringing Local Foods to Community Cafeterias

Source: University of Minnesota Extension

MCINTOSH, Minn. (3/12/2010) — University of Minnesota Extension will coordinate a “Farm to Cafeteria” workshop on bringing local foods to community cafeterias March 23 from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the McIntosh Community Center, 240 Cleveland Ave. SW, McIntosh.

Community cafeterias are those found in schools, hospitals, nursing homes, colleges or similar institutional settings. Producers, food service staff, parents, teachers and other community members interested in supporting the local foods movement in their region are encouraged to participate.

A morning session will feature a panel of producers, food service staff and educators with hands-on experience selling local foods to institutions and others involved in local foods. Panelists will share their expertise on rules and regulations, how to get started and overcome barriers, and how to identify resources. Two sessions are offered in the afternoon. The farmer track will help producers develop a food safety plan for farm products intended for marketing to institutions. The school track will help participants create a “Farm to School” plan for the 2010-11 academic year, including strategies for menu planning and procurement.

The workshop is open to the public and a $10 registration fee covers the cost of a locally-produced lunch. To register online, visit www.regionalpartnerships.umn.edu and click on “Farm to Cafeteria,” or contact Extension educator Jim Stordahl at stordahl@umn.edu. The workshop is a collaborative effort among the University of Minnesota Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships, University of Minnesota Extension, the Sustainable Farming Association of Minnesota, the Minnesota Institute for Sustainable Agriculture, the Northwest and North Country Statewide Health Improvement Program, the Headwaters Food Sovereignty Council, and the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy.

Sponsored, in-part, by NCR-SARE.

For more information on the Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships, visit www.regionalpartnerships.umn.edu. For more information on Extension, visit www.extension.umn.edu.

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