IL Farmers Market Conference + NEW RULES for sampling

[Lindsay Record]

Hi all,

Many of you may know about the Illinois Farmers Market Association (IFMA) conference that will be held next week in Chicago but I wanted to pass on a few details and an update on new rules for sampling at farmers markets.

Illinois Farmers Market Association Conference

The IFMA conference will be held Wednesday, February 17 at the Chicago Cultural Center. There is a great lineup plus tracks for vendors (it's not just for market managers!)**. See the agenda here and registration link here. 

There is a pre-conference screening of the film, "A Farmers Road", that features Illinois' own farmstead creamery, Prairie Fruits Farm on Tuesday, February 16. Tickets include a reception with appetizers and can be purchased here. 

New Rules for Farmers Market Sampling

The Illinois Farmers Market Task Force worked with Illinois Department of Public Health to develop a new certificate to allow sampling at farmers markets across Illinois. You can find all of the info on the Illinois Stewardship Alliance website here: http://www.ilstewards.org/policy-work/product-sampling-certificate-and-pol/

There are two options for obtaining your certificate depending on what certifications you have or want to get:

1. Individuals possessing a valid Illinois Food Service Sanitation Manager Certificate (FSSMC) will be required to submit the following: 

A. An application on a form provided by the Department; and 

B. Payment of the $10 application fee. 

2. Individuals who do not possess a valid FSSMC shall submit the following: 

A. Evidence of successful completion of a food handler training course 

B. Evidence of successful completion of Department farmers' market sampling training*

C. An application on a form provided by the Department; and 

D. Payment of the $40 application fee. 

*For the the farmers market sampling training, you can do the training online: ITrain website here: https://i.train.org/ and enter the course number into the search: #1061218 

**There will also be an in-person training at the IFMA conference in Chicago next week! You need to register for the full conference to attend the session. See the attached flyer for more info. An additional in-person training will be held in Springfield, Date TBD.**

Feel free to let me know if you have any questions about the sampling training!

Lindsay

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Lindsay Record | Executive Director | Illinois Stewardship Alliance - "Local Food Matters" | ilstewards.org | lin...@ilstewards.org | 217.528.1563

 

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