1.07.09 - 1.09.09
Illinois Specialty Crops and Agritourism Conference

1.13.09
Food Rules: Knowing the Regulations (CHAMPAIGN)

more...

12.11.08
The New York Times
Obama’s ‘Secretary of Food’?

8.23.08
Galesburg Register-Mail
Local Growers Network Provides Fresh Produce

more...

10.10.08
New York Times
Farmer In Chief

9.01.08
National Geographic
Our Good Earth: Where Food Begins

more...

Food Rules

Have you ever wondered . . .

• Is it OK to sell home-baked goods?
• Can I give customers samples of my fresh apples?
• Can I transport and sell frozen meat at a farmers market?

If you are producing and selling foods to consumers, then you need to know the rules and regulations that govern the direct-marketing of farm products . . .

That’s why The Land Connection and the University of Illinois Extension are collaborating to host Food Rules workshops throughout the state over the winter months. The goal of Food Rules is to help producers and others gain an understanding of the many regulations regarding food production and sales, and to lower their legal and financial risks. All workshops will take place from 6:30 pm-8:30 pm on the following dates.

There is a $10 registration fee for Food Rules. To register through the mail, please send a check along with your contact information to The Land Connection. To register via PayPal, select your location below and click on "Register Now".

Thursday, December 11 - Rockford, IL

U-I Extension—Winnebago County Unit Office 1925 S. Meridian Road Rockford, IL 61102 815-986-4357 Link

Tuesday, January 13 - Champaign, IL

Champaign County Farm Bureau 801 Country Fair Dr. Champaign, IL 61821 217-352-5235

Tuesday, February 3 - Quincy, IL

U-I Extension-Adams County Unit Office 330 S. 36th St Quincy, IL 62301 217-223-8380 Link

Thursday, February 12 - Peoria, IL

U-I Extension-Peoria County Unit Office 4810 North Sheridan Peoria, IL 61614 309-685-3140 Link

Tuesday, March 3 - Marion, IL

U-I Extension-Williamson County Unit 1306 N Atchison Ave, Ste A Marion, IL 62959 618-993-3304 Link

The workshop panel will feature State and County Health Department personnel, representatives from the Illinois Department of Agriculture, legal experts and successful, experienced farmers.

Attendees will hear short presentations from the panelists and then have plenty of time for specific Q/A.

The workshops are specifically oriented to local farmers who are, or would like to market their products, including "value-added" products, directly to consumers. Other farmers, educators, policy makers, and community leaders are also invited to attend, especially those educators and community members who assist farmers in production, processing, and marketing of local foods.

These workshops are made possible by a grant from the USDA Risk Management and Education program and organized in collaboration with University of Illinois Extension.