Webinars

MIFMA’s robust library of webinars allows farmers market managers statewide to learn about topics relevant to market management, food safety, and other important topics. Use the navigation bar to the left to go directly to a section, or browse the entire library of market manager resources by scrolling.

 

To view our upcoming webinars and other events, click here.

Food Access

Accepting SNAP at Direct Marketing Sites and Farmers Markets

2/13/20

Direct Marketing Sites and Farmers markets can accept Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to create a win-win-win opportunity for their market, their vendors, and the health of their community. Accepting SNAP, which is distributed via the Michigan Bridge Card, can increase revenue for vendors, contribute to vendor recruitment and retention for the market and increase access to fresh, nutritious, local food for residents of your community.

This webinar discusses how accepting SNAP benefits can benefit a direct marketing site and farmers market, the steps to getting started, and how a market can facilitate SNAP transactions between customers and vendors.

Watch here

Accepting WIC Project FRESH & Senior Project FRESH/Market FRESH at Michigan Farmers Markets

2/8/18

Learn about how to become authorized to accept WIC Project FRESH and Senior Project FRESH/Market FRESH at farmers markets. This webinar discusses the similarities and differences between the two programs, how to participate, and what resources are available to help implement the programs and inform customers.

Watch here

Food Navigator Program

Key Findings from the SNAP-Ed Food Navigator Pilot Project

6/29/17

This webinar, hosted by the Public Health Institute’s Center of Wellness and Nutrition (PHI), will be presenting key findings from the Farmers Market Food Navigator Project. Learn more about the mix-method approach used to evaluate the Food Navigator Pilot, as well as key evaluation findings, including indicators from the SNAP-Ed Evaluation Framework. The Food Navigator pilot included: 1) designated Food Navigators onsite during farmers market operating hours to guide low-income consumers, 2) the MFF social marketing messaging featuring Michigan Harvest of the Month™ (MiHOTM), and 3) experiential nutrition education programming in collaboration with SNAP-Ed partners (e.g., cooking demonstrations and food tastings).

Watch here

Navigating SNAP-Ed Programs and Partnerships at Farmers Markets: Lessons Learned

11/15/16

This webinar reflected on lessons learned over the course of the Food Navigator pilot program, including how Navigators used SNAP-Ed nutrition education programming and materials to work to increase consumption of fruit and vegetables in farmers market settings.

Watch here

Building Partnerships between SNAP-Ed Programs and Farmers Markets

7/18/16

This webinar was created to help begin to build partnerships between SNAP-Ed programs and farmers markets, creating a win-win-win opportunity for the market, the SNAP-Ed programs, and the health of the community. The webinar showcased how SNAP-Ed nutrition education programming and evaluation efforts, specifically the Food Navigator pilot program, can work to increase consumption of fruit and vegetables in a farmers market setting. This training included details on increasing customer intent to purchase and access issues of multiple food assistance programs at the farmers market.

Watch here

Food and Product Safety

Plant Sales

8/30/21

Learn more about plant sales at the market and relevant licensing information from a Michigan farmers market vendor and Andria McCubbin-Green, Nursery Program Specialist at MDARD. Information about licensing, helpful resources, and what market managers should know to best support their vendors will be discussed.

Watch here

Industrial Hemp and Topical CBD

8/17/21

Learn more about Industrial Hemp & Topical CBD and relevant licensing information from two Michigan farmers market vendors (MyTCBD & BarrieBeau Herb Farm) and a representative from the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD). Information about licensing, helpful resources, and what market managers should know to best support their vendors will be discussed.

Watch Here

Cottage Food Law

8/3/21

Learn more about Cottage Food and the transition to a licensed food business from two Michigan small businesses (Michigan-Made Treats & Sweet Encounter Bakery) and a representative from the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD). Information about licensing, helpful resources, and what market managers should know to best support their vendors will be discussed.

Watch here

2020 Cannabis and Michigan Farmers Markets

8/18/2020

This webinar will introduce Michigan farmers market managers to new resources created by MIFMA to help navigate the sale of cannabis products at farmers markefts, show examples of market policy language around the sale of these products, and feature questions and answers from farmers market staff.

Watch here

Cooking Demonstration Webinar

5/14/15

This webinar is about new licensing options for farmers markets implementing cooking demonstrations. You will hear from MDARD and a market manager who has completed the licensing application.

Watch here

2019 Food Safety Webinar

11/13/19

This webinar discusses the successes and challenges of the 2019 farmers market season as it pertains to food safety. Learn about safe food sampling, cottage food labeling, eggs and egg cartons, kombucha, and hemp/marijuana/CBD at farmers markets from an MDARD inspector.

Watch here

2018 Safe Food Sampling Webinar

6/14/18

This webinar reviews the MDARD Safe Food Sampling Guidelines paired with real-world examples for providing food samples at a farmers markets. Mandi Cooley from MDARD, Michelle Gagliardi from MIFMA, and Danielle Welke of MI Ice Pops present take a dynamic approach on best practice for providing safe food to farmers market visitors.

Watch here

Other Webinars

Celebrating National Farmers Market Week in Michigan

7/28/20

National Farmers Market Week is the perfect opportunity to celebrate your market! Join MIFMA and the Farmers Market Coalition to learn tips and share tools for successfully promoting your farmers market. MIFMA members who register for the webinar will gain access to customized digital promotional tools to use to celebrate and promote on social media.

Watch here

Difficult Questions and Controversial Topics

1/31/17

Difficult Questions and Controversial Topics

Watch here

Farmers Markets as Engines for Economic Opportunity: Power in Numbers

9/11/17

This webinar showcases the pilot work being done in Michigan to understand the Economic Contribution of Farmers Markets to local communities. It is an overview of the Michigan Farmers Market Association’s (MIFMA) steps forward in economic contributions of markets to their local communities through strong data collection. Collecting strong data gives farmers markets the benefit of seeing change, from year to year. While most markets have already begun to collect data at a baseline level, this webinar helps to explain the need for more in-depth metrics. This discussion of different types of data collection tools helps markets start the process and demonstrate their reach to community members, funders, governing bodies, and potential market vendors.

Watch here