March 8, 2010

Contact: Bernadette Logozar, 518-483-7403

Save the Date: April 16-17 Set for “Working with the Middleman” Conference for NNY Regional Food Producers

Malone, NY – Farmers with food products to sell can learn how to assess various market channels and how to connect with the “middleman” distributors that are the best fit for them at one of two April conferences set for Northern New York. “Working with the Middleman: Selling through or to a local distributor” conferences are set for Friday, April 16 at the American Legion in Chateaugay, NY, and Saturday, April 17 at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Jefferson County in Watertown, NY.

Conference presenters include:
• Agriculture Marketing Specialist Matt LeRoux with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County speaking on market channel assessment and sharing a tool for evaluating six critical factors
• Northern Adirondack Trading Cooperative Director Ruby Sprowls speaking on pricing for wholesale, and
• regional food distributors talking about what they are looking for in product, pricing, packaging and production practices.

NNY Local Foods Specialist Bernadette Logozar, a rural and agricultural development specialist with Cornell Cooperative Extension Franklin County, is organizing the conference. Logozar says, “This educational conference is designed to help North Country farmers assess their marketing options and determine which is the best fit for them. Local sourcing of food is becoming increasing of interest to regional consumer and this conference may help farmers and distributors explore localized partnership possibilities.”

Pre-registration for the event is required. The $5 registration for the 10am to 3pm program covers lunch and materials. More details will be available soon. Those interested in registering for either the April 16 or 17 event now, may contact Logozar at 518-483-7403 or bel7@cornell.edu. 

For more tips on selling food locally, go online to the Regional/Local Foods section of the Northern New York Agricultural Development Program website at www.nnyagdev.org. #