Workshops help growers make products ‘MarketReady'

The daylong program teaches producers what is required to sell to grocers, restaurants and wholesale buyers.

"MarketReady workshops and resources guide producers through the decisions needed for entering various direct marketing channels," said Julie Fox, direct marketing specialist with Ohio State University Extension and the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center. "Participants leave knowing what is required for packaging, pricing, delivering, regulations, insurance and marketing of their products for each type of buyer."

Initially developed by the University of Kentucky, the program was piloted in cooperation with OSU Extension and the Ohio Direct Marketing Team. More information about the program can be found at http://go.osu.edu/MarketReady.

The workshops are from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Registration is $75 per person and $25 for each additional person from the same company. The dates and locations are as follows:

* Feb. 15, United Food and the Commercial Workers Local 75 Hall, 200 Kovach Drive, Cincinnati.

* Feb. 23 at the Center for Innovative Food Technology, 5555 Airport Highway, Suite 100, Toledo.

* Feb. 28 at the Mustard Seed Market and Café, 3885 West Market Street, Akron.

Registration should be completed one week prior to the workshop. For details or to register, contact Julie Moose at 740-289-2071, ext. 223, or email moose.14@osu.edu