Grower-Buyer Workshops Nov. 12 in Stillwater
Events are Follow-up to Dine Fresh Dine Local
CONTACT: Dana Jackson, LSP, 612-722-6377; danaj@landstewardshipproject.org
10/28/09
STILLWATER, Minn. — Growing the business of local foods in the St. Croix Valley is the subject of two workshops for food producers and retail food buyers Thursday, Nov. 12, at the Stillwater Methodist Church on the corner of Greeley and Myrtle Streets. The workshops are a follow-up to the St. Croix River Valley Dine Fresh Dine Local event held in September.
The registration fee for producers is $10 (for both workshops), and $10 for food buyers to attend the afternoon workshop. Checks should be payable to the Land Stewardship Project and sent to: BFBL Workshops, LSP, 821 E. 35th St., Suite 200, Minneapolis, MN 55407. For more information, contact Dana Jackson at 612-722-6377 or danaj@landstewardshipproject.org.
Registration begins at 9:30 a.m. for the morning “Farmers’ Meeting and Marketing Workshop.” Presentations and discussion will be led by Joci Tilsen, marketing representative for Big River Farms, Rhys Williams, buyer for the Wedge Co-op Partners Warehouse and Trista Boe, River Market Community Co-op produce manager. Small-scale processors are invited to join meat, vegetable and fruit producers to learn more about marketing to restaurants, grocery stores and institutional food buyers.
Food buyers are invited to join producers at 1:30 p.m. for the “Farm-to-Table Grower/Buyer Workshop.” The featured speaker will be Alex Roberts, executive chef and proprietor of two successful eateries in the Twin Cities: Restaurant Alma and Brasa Premium Rotisserie. Roberts, a three-time nominee for the James Beard Best Chef in the Midwest award, will share his 10 years of experience in sourcing top quality, seasonal ingredients from local and regional suppliers.
“Every year since our openings at both Alma and Brasa, we have increased the percentage of locally produced food served in the restaurants,” Roberts said. “We have learned to improve our timing and planning of menu changes, as well as selection of recipes, produce, seed varieties and a number of other things over the years.”
Following the presentation, producers and buyers will discuss strategies for developing successful business relationships involving local foods in the St. Croix Valley that are efficient and profitable for both. Producers and buyers are encouraged to bring business cards and brochures to exchange.
The workshops are sponsored by the Minnesota Food Association and its Big River Farms, the River Market Community Co-op, the St. Croix River Valley Buy Fresh Buy Local Chapter and its sponsoring organization, the Land Stewardship Project.
