What You Need to Know to Keep Your Market Safe, Compliant, and Thriving
Food safety is at the heart of every successful farmers market.
It’s what builds trust with your customers, protects your vendors, and keeps your market running smoothly season after season. And while farmers markets are known for their freshness, transparency, and strong connection to the community, staying compliant with food safety regulations can feel overwhelming, especially as rules continue to evolve.
That’s exactly why the Virginia Farmers Market Association is bringing back the Food Safety Summit for 2026.
A Practical, Straightforward Look at Food Safety in Virginia
This online summit is designed specifically for market managers and food vendors who want clarity—not confusion—when it comes to food safety requirements.
Whether you’re new to market management or a seasoned vendor, this summit will walk you through what you need to know in a way that’s clear, practical, and directly applicable to your day-to-day operations.
You’ll gain a better understanding of:
- What regulations apply to your market or products
- How to stay compliant without overcomplicating things
- What inspectors are actually looking for
- How to confidently handle food safety questions and situations
Learn Directly from the Experts
One of the most valuable parts of the Food Safety Summit is hearing directly from the agencies who oversee and support food safety across Virginia.
VAFMA brings together representatives from:
- The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS)
- The Virginia Department of Health (VDH)
- The Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority (VA ABC)
- Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE)
These are the people responsible for regulations, inspections, and guidance. During the summit, they’ll not only explain the requirements but also answer your questions.
This is your opportunity to move beyond guessing or Googling and get clear, reliable answers straight from the source.
Built for Real-World Application
Instead of generic food safety advice, you’ll get information tailored to:
- Farmers market environments
- Small and mid-sized producers
- Prepared food vendors and processors
- Market managers navigating multiple vendor types
Can’t Attend Live? You’re Covered.
All sessions will be recorded and shared with registrants, so you can:
- Revisit key information anytime
- Catch anything you missed
- Share resources with your team or vendors