News Release                            For Immediate Release

                                                                                                                    October 18, 2010

Supporting Local Producers – Direct Marketing Workshop

A number of groups are collaborating in presenting a workshop to support local farmers/producers in direct marketing safe and healthy foods and products. This workshop will be of interest to anyone involved in local food initiatives. This information will support increasing profits for the producers (money in the hands of local farmers) and ensuring the healthiest product possible to the consumer.

Supporting Local Producers – Direct Marketing Workshop: 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday, November 15, at the Grey Bruce Health Unit, 101 17^th Street East, Owen Sound.

Organic vegetable grower, Ann Slater will bring her 30 years of experience to address the basics of marketing as it applies to producers including pricing, promotion, relationship marketing and social media. Public Health Inspector, Jos Moerman will identify the regulatory framework that governs food safety and food distribution. A panel discussion made up of experienced local food marketers will offer perspectives on opportunities and obstacles as well as respond to a question and answer session.

Registration fee is $25 per person or $40 for two, including HST. Registration deadline is November 10. A lunch will be served. There will also be opportunities for networking and displays by local sponsors.

Partnering agencies for this workshop include FarmStart, the Ecological Farmers Association of Ontario, the Grey Bruce Local Food Project and the Grey Bruce Health Unit.

For further information, call Public Health at 519-376-9420 or 180-263-3456 or visit our website at www.publichealthgreybruce.on.ca.

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Attachments: Direct Marketing Registration Pamphlet 

For more information:

Denna Leach                            or                     Freeman Boyd

Program Manager                                             Grey Bruce Local Food Project Coordinator

Grey Bruce Health Unit                                   519-372-0219 ext.1403

519-376-9420 ext. 1462                                   Fax: 519-376-0757

d.leach@publichealthgreybruce.on.ca             food@foodlinkgreybruce.com

                                                                          www.foodlinkgreybruce.com