MSFA | Calendar

Massachusetts Agriculture Day at the State House
Includes a speaking program, legislator awards, informational exhibits and a reception featuring Massachusetts farm and specialty food products. Please join us in recognizing Massachusetts farmers and learn more about efforts to maintain the long-term viability of Massachusetts agriculture. For more information, call 617-626-1757

How to Sell at a Farmer's Market 6PM
Farmer's markets offer specialty food producers a terrific opportunity for consumer feedback on both product and package- and most importantly direct sales! Come learn from vendors already selling at markets, a market manager, health officials who can guide you to a safe and legal product, representatives from the MA Department of Agricultural Resources and Massachusetts Specialty Foods describing resources available, and a Kinkos representative to outline examples of labeling and signage costs.

Held at:
Nuestra Culinary Ventures
31 Germania Street
Jamaica Plain, MA 02130
a non profit shared use kitchen facility and the home of many specialty food entrepreneurs selling at Farmers Markets.

Participants:
Representatives of Deborah's Kitchen, Ever SO Humble Pie Co. and Moonbrine Pickles
Arlene Flowers Brookline Farmers Market Manager
Priscilla Neves Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Public Health
Carol Coutrier Massachusetts Specialty Foods Association
David Webber and Bonita Oehlke of the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources - the agency coordinating Massachusetts Farmers Markets
Chestnut Hill Kinkos
Cary Wheaton Director, Nuestra Culinary Ventures

$20 fee for the seminar. Fee may be applied towards Nuestra Culinary Ventures fees for member entrepreneurs. Call (617) 522- 7900 x10 to register
Co Sponsored by Dept. of Agricultural Resources and MA Specialty Foods Association

April 2005

May 2005

First time exhibitors are eligible to have 50% of expenses reimbursed through the Branded Program. Contact bonita.oehlke@state.ma.us

2-5 Better Process Control School, Cornell University, Geneva, NY. Contact Judy Anderson, 315-787-2273 or jla2@cornell.edu

10 Becoming a More Effective Sales Manager in the Natural and Specialty Channel
Denver, CO. Contact Bob Burke at www.npcinstitute.com and click onto One Day Seminar.

12 Massachusetts Envirothon, Essex Agricultural & Technical High School, Danvers, For more information on how to get involved with the Massachusetts Envirothon, call 978-692-1904, or visit http://www.maenvirothon.org/.

15-16 The Bus is Here, Now What? Providing Educational Experiences for Kids on Your Farm - The two-day workshop is $150 which includes materials, meals, and one overnight stay at the Inn at Shelburne Farms. For details, Dana Hudson at (802) 985-8686 ext 25 or dhudson@shelburnefarms.org.

17 Massachusetts Dietetic Association
Spring Convention
Exhibitor / Sponsor Opportunities

Tuesday, May 17, 2025
LANTANA CONFERENCE FACILITY
43 Scanlon Drive
Randolph, MA 02368

18 Northeast Section, Institute of Food Technologists, Food Industry Expo, Worcester’s Centrum Centre, Worcester http://www.eventswithattitude.com/

19 Protecting the Food Supply from Intentional Adulteration: an Introductory Training Session to Raise Awareness - 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.- Boston -free of charge. Space will be limited and registration will be on a first-come, first-serve basis. Contact Anne Roberts via email roberta@saic.com or at 202-488-6609. Registration due May 6th, 2005.

19 Locally Made Specialty Food Show at Nuestra Culinary Ventures, 11AM – 6 PM. Contact Cary Wheaton, Director NCV at 617-522-7900, Ext. 10.

20 The Landscape of Opportunity Symposium, 9-3pm, North Shore Community College, Danvers. More info conact Christine Rasmussen, chrisras@gis.net.

21-24 National Restaurant Association Trade Show, McCormick Place, Chicago

June 2005

7 Caribbean hospitality restaurant and institution buyers to Boston, contact Bonita Oehlke, 617-626-1753.

14 Exporting Food Products - spotlight Mexico and Central America, New Bedford for more information bonita.oehlke@state.ma.us

July 2005

30 Sample and sell your product at the Massachusetts Marketplace, July 30, 2025

The Massachusetts Horticultural Society will host the Massachusetts Marketplace Festival on Saturday, July 30th at Elm Bank Horticulture Center in Wellesley. Vendors from all over the Commonwealth will display and sell an array of foods, plants and crafts representing the finest products from Massachusetts' fields, farms, gardens and kitchens. Celebrating the quality and abundance of local agriculture, floriculture, specialty foods and crafts, the ninth annual festival will include a full day of food sampling, shopping and a Children's Petting Zoo.

Festival attendees will also have the opportunity to sample and gather nutritional information and recipes and purchase produce, specialty foods, plants, flowers, gardening provisions, books, gifts and unique craft items with a horticultural theme. The event will also feature a bluegrass concert.

August 2005

15 Federation of MA Farmers’ Markets Benefit Dinner – Veggie Planet Restaurant, Harvard Square, Cambridge. To purchase tickets, Greg Bodine at greg@massfarmersmarkets.org or call 781-893-8222

September 2005

30 Salute to New England Specialty Foods at the Big E, West Springfield, MA for information contact: bonita.oehlke@state.ma.us

30 - MSFA Networking Event at The Big E, Springfield, MA, Massachusetts Building – Second Floor, 12-2 PM. Bring your products to sample and/or promote and get feedback. Complimentary passes to The Big E and parking passes available to the first 25 registrants.
To register your attendance, contact Bonita Oehlke at bonita.oehlke@state.ma.us. Registration form: see “the Food Network; Networking Events” in this issue.

*first time exhibitors at major US trade shows are eligible to have 50% of expenses reimbursed through the federally funded Branded Program. Contact bonita.oehlke@state.ma.us

October 2005

15 "Flavors of Massachusetts" Festival at Verrill Farm, Concord, MA, 1-4 PM.
Please contact Ellen Callaway at ellen@callawayphoto.com for information and to register to sample and sell product (MSFA members only). (Download registration form)

15 Autumn Harvest Festival, Uxbridge Farm and Fairgrounds, Mendon Road, Rt. 26, Uxbridge, MA. Contact Tricia Johnston at KraftKaboodle@yahoo.com or call (508) 234-2815 for information on exhibiting or attending. (Registration form in this issue under "Member Participation".

15 MSFA Newsletter, “Food for Thought”

25 “Made in Massachusetts" – A New England Country Festival at Old Sturbridge Village. Contact Melissa White, Coordinator of Special Events and Community Relations.

26 - 29 National Association of Farmers' Markets Nutrition Programs 13th Annual Conference, Plymouth. Contact: David Webber, 617-626-1754, david.webber@state.ma.us

November 2005

13 Private Label Buyers Mission, Rosemont, IL
In conjunction with the Private Label Tradeshow, MIATCO and Food Export USA - Northeast are bringing in pre-qualified buyers from Chile, Germany, United Arab Emirates, and Canada for one-on-one meetings with U.S. suppliers. Contact bonita.oehlke@state.ma.us

15 - 16 New Date, New Location! Convenience Stores Buyers Mission, Las Vegas, NV
This Buyers Mission includes buyers from Comextra, the second largest convenience store chain in Mexico with plans to continue expansion, and 7-11, which dominates in Taiwan with more than 50% market share and 4000 stores. Contact bonita.oehlke@state.ma.us

Nov 29 - Dec 1 December 1, 2005, Food Ingredients Europe Food Show PLUS!, Paris, France
Participants have the opportunity to meet with pre-qualified buyers of US food ingredients. They will also receive pre-show market assistance, show translators and appointments, and follow-up help. Contact bonita.oehlke@state.ma.us

December 2005

25 Northeast Buyer's Mission, Boston.
International buyers will meet with suppliers in a variety of categories.
bonita.oehlke@state.ma.us

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2005 MSFA Calendar Archive