On February 25, 2021, the Virginia Farmers Market Association (VAFMA) and the VSU Small Farm Outreach Program hosted a webinar on food safety for farmers at farmers markets in Virginia. Speakers discussed applicable laws and regulations, inspections, food labeling and packaging. They also shared links to downloadable resources and training programs.
In addition to food safety, the webinar covered the Virginia Grown and Virginia Finest programs.
Find contact information, links and presentations below.
Our next Farmers Market Preparedness Webinar with VSU is March 11, 2021. Register here.
Watch the Webinar on the VAFMA YouTube Channel
After watching the webinar, please share your thoughts about it with VSU using this evaluation form. Thank you!
Virginia Department of Health
Cindy McDow, Environmental Health Manager of the Roanoke City/Alleghany Health Districts, shared VDH Food Safety and a COVID-19 update for farmers markets.
View her presentation slides here
Contact Information:
Cindy McDow
Roanoke City/Alleghany Health Districts
Environmental Health Manager
540-204-9770
Peri Pearson
State Food Consultant
Virginia Department of Health
804-864-7692
Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Pamela Miles, Program Supervisor of the Food Safety Program at VDACS, gave a VDACS Food Safety overview.
View her presentation slides here
Contact Information:
Pam Miles
Program Supervisor
Food Safety Program
Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
804-786-0412
Virginia Grown and Virginia Finest
Heather Wheeler, Program Manager of Virginia Grown, discussed the marketing and promotion resources available through VDACS’ Virginia Grown and Virginia Finest programs.
View her presentation slides here
Contact Information:
Heather Wheeler
Program Manager – Virginia Grown
Virginia Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services
Division of Marketing
Tel: 804-786-5842
Virginia Cooperative Extension
Dr. Renee Boyer, Extension Specialist and Interim Department Head of the Food Science and Technology Department at Virginia Tech, shared the training resources and publications available through Cooperative Extension.
View her presentation slides here
Renee R. Boyer
Extension Specialist/VA Tech
Interim Department Head
Food Science & Technology Department
Professor/Extension Specialist
Food Safety/Microbiology