Workshop Series

Para español haga clic aquí.

Do you have an idea for a new food business? Have you been growing or making food for friends and family and want to take it to the next level? Have you been working for a food business, but you want to be better prepared to take on a decision-making role?

We can help!

Sessions are open to anyone and free to attend! PLUS, if you self identify as BIPOC or low-income, or if you need interpretation into English, you are eligible to get:

$30 – $60 per workshop
Interpretation and/or translation
Up to five hours of free one-on-one coaching on any topic(s) of your choice

Session I - Summer 2023 - Local Farms & Markets

Session I – Summer 2023 – Local Farms & Markets

Register here!

Growing Produce in the Pioneer Valley – Tuesday, June 13

Tuesday June 13, 3:30-5pm
Prospect Meadow Farm, 103A Prospect St, Hatfield, MA
Register by June 6 here.
Farming in the Valley takes a careful mix of planning, experimentation, hard work, and reflection. Join veteran farmer Dave Jackson for a tour of Prospect Meadow Farm to learn what you should be thinking about when it comes to planting, growing, and harvesting produce in the Pioneer Valley.

Attracting Customers to your Farm Stand or Market Booth – Tuesday, June 20

Tuesday, June 20, 5-6:30pm
Grow Food Northampton Tuesday Market, 1 Kirkland Ave, Northampton, MA
Register by June 13 here.
The way fresh produce is presented and arranged has a huge impact on market sales. How you engage with your customers plays a major role in whether your customers come back. Join this walkthrough tour of Grow Food Northampton’s Tuesday Market and learn how to display, store, and restock produce, as well as how to engage customers while they shop. This will be an interactive group session including a guided tour of the market, conversation with the market manager and vendors, and the opportunity to discuss and reflect on practices you could implement for your own display.

Choosing a Food Business Model – Tuesday, June 27

Tuesday June 27, 6:00-7:30pm
Zoom (call-in info provided upon registration)
Register by June 20 here.
Do you want to start a food business, but need help choosing a legal business structure? There are many options available and every situation is unique. Hear from a panel of successful local food business owners about how their business structure works and why they chose it. This session will help you understand the difference between a fiscal sponsorship, a cooperative business, a nonprofit, a for-profit, and a sole proprietorship. Panelists are:

Kelly Hickey of Atlas Farm Store (LLC)
Nicolas D’Alessandro of Hearthstone Artisan Bakery (Sole Proprietorship)
Addie Rose Holland of Real Pickles (Cooperative)

Session II - Fall 2023 (Dates to be Announced) - Starting, Growing, and Managing a Food Business

Session II – Fall 2023 (Dates to be Announced) – Starting, Growing, and Managing a Food Business

Setting Goals for a Food Business
Developing a Business Plan
Cutting, Cooking, and Freezing: Value-Added Processing
Running a Food Business from your Home

Session III- Winter 2024 (Dates to be Announced) - Sustaining a Food Business

Session III- Winter 2024 (Dates to be Announced) – Sustaining a Food Business

Finding Funding and Writing Grant Proposals
Bringing in Customers
Careers in Produce Distribution

Questions or requesting interpretation? Contact Caitlin Marquis, (413) 588-5562.

Build Your Skills