Producers interested in learning how to market local fruits and vegetables to foodservice and retail distributors  are invited to attend one of a series of meetings sponsored by Iowa State University Extension.

 “Many producers have been selling directly to customers through farmers markets and one-on-one sales,” said Margaret Smith, at the Value Added Agriculture Program at Iowa State University Extension.  “As producers expand from direct marketing to foodservice or retail markets, they need information on market demand, channels of distribution, as well as the requirements and preferences of the foodservice and retail customer.”

At the workshop, producers will hear from distributors and retailers how to get their attention individually or collectively as a group to make sales.  They will learn what it takes to deliver their products, and support sales through the distributor or retail networks. 

The workshops feature food distributors and retailers, producers selling food through these market channels and exploration of opportunities, drawbacks, regulations and methods of marketing.

Workshop locations and registration information include:

March 19

Jefferson County Extension Office

2606 West Burlington Ave.

Fairfield, Iowa

Registrations: 641-472-6177

March 20

Firehouse Restaurant

1211 5th St.

Sioux City, Iowa

Registrations: 712-276-2157

March 31

Iowa Dairy Foundation Center

1527 Hwy. 150 S

Calmar, Iowa

Registrations: 563-382-2949

April 1

Warren Co. Farm Bureau

200 West Second Ave., Hwy 92

Indianola, Iowa

Registrations: 515-961-6237