The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) will hold a question-and-answer session via Zoom on Thursday, August 13 at 6 p.m. on the proposed Produce Safety and Market Access Regulations for fresh fruits and vegetables in the Commonwealth. This follows a previous public hearing on August 6, where farmers and other stakeholders shared their concerns and suggestions on the regulations.

The mission of the Massachusetts Produce Safety Program is to assist in the prevention of produce-related foodborne illness, while also increasing market access for fruits and vegetables that are grown, harvested, and processed in the Commonwealth.

These draft regulations follow Massachusetts’s state implementation of the federal Food Safety Modernization Act. They establish statewide minimum standards relating to the sanitary and safe growing, harvesting, labeling, packing, and storing of fresh fruits and vegetables in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Program services can include:

• Inspection of produce farms under state authority in Massachusetts (G.L. c. 128, §124);
• Provision of Massachusetts Commonwealth Quality Program (CQP) for fresh produce Audits;
• Deployed technical assistance, pre-audits, and readiness reviews;
• Farm food safety practice adoption through MDAR’s grant programs;
• Producer education and training by commodity, using both national and local curriculum;
• Marketing and promotional support to sustain and increase the procurement of certified/inspected Massachusetts’ grown fruits and vegetables.

Written comments will also be accepted and considered until 5:00 p.m. on Friday, August 21, 2020. Written testimony must be submitted by e-mail to michael.botelho@mass.gov, or by mail to Michael Botelho, 30 Riverside Drive, Suite 202, Lakeville, MA 02342.

Topic: Draft Regulations for Produce Safety and Market Access
Time: Aug 13, 2020 06:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83492101256?pwd=NmorN3cxOUpuZkwydUZJdHJ5Sy9DZz09

Meeting ID: 834 9210 1256
Passcode: 618855

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View the draft regulations at MDAR’s official web site.

Fairmount Fruit Farm welcomes the public and local vendors you to their first-ever winter farmers market, in the Farm’s 100th year! For vendors, this is a great opportunity for you to get your business noticed, meet new people and expand your horizons. There will be beer and wine tastings for ages 21+ from local wineries and breweries added to the market as well. Below is some basic information regarding the new 6-month market.

Every year in March, agriculture gets its rightfully deserved recognition at the State House in Boston. Massachusetts Agricultural Day, or more commonly referred to as Ag Day, is an opportunity for our local growers – farmers, fishermen, aquaculturists, Aggie students, Buy Local cooperatives, 4-H, FFA and agricultural enthusiasts to have their voices heard by our State Representatives and Senators.

This year an estimated 200 farmers and more than 35 agricultural organizations attended.

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The Redbrook Farmers’ Market runs every Wednesday from 3pm – 6:30pm on the Green at Redbrook Village! It will start in July for the 2018 season.

Interested vendors should contact Kim Houdlette  at KHoudlette@admakepeace.com

Redbrook Farmers Market Application 2018

Find more info here.

Eastern Massachusetts C.R.A.F.T. is an independent Collaborative Regional Alliance for Farmer Training in eastern Massachusetts.

Their purpose is to promote:

–   Training of farmers, farm workers and apprentices in the craft of small-scale sustainable agriculture with emphasis on food production. Through the collaboration of many farms, they provide a broader learning experience than can be received on one farm alone.

–   Exchange of ideas among farm people. Our goal is to increase the skill base in sustainable agriculture.

–   A community of farmers, farm workers, and others who are interested in local agriculture. They support peer-based education to help farmers connect with others who share similar goals.

Read more →