[Food For Thought]

is published quarterly by
the Massachusetts Specialty Foods Association
c/o Carol Coutrier
P.O. Box 34, Groton, MA 01450
(800) 813-5862
www.msfa.net

  Spring  
 2006 


corporate sponsor

photo by Callaway photo
 

Letter From the President

 

Dear MSFA Members,

Happy Spring to all!

 

Thanks to everyone who attended the MSFA Annual Meeting in February and helped to make it a wonderful event loaded with great food, supportive community and MSFA spirit!

 

Our MSFA Highlights of the Year list was featured at Annual Meeting:

  • Seminar at Nuestra Culinary Ventures on "Marketing Specialty Food Products at Farmers' Markets".
  • Networking Events at Best Friends Cocoa, The Big E, Verrill Farm, Rogers, Suleski & Associates, and Boston Baking Corp..
  • MSFA Pavilion at the The New England Foodservice & Lodging Show provided discounted booth space.
  • MSFA was listed as a sponsoring organization of the NE Foodservice & Lodging Show.
  • "Taste of Massachusetts" gift baskets feature MSFA members' products. Pemberton Farms produces and sells the baskets and contributes a percentage of sales to the MSFA. The program is featured on the MSFA website, www.msfa.net under "Gift Baskets" and on the Pemberton Farms website, www.pembertonfarms.com . A full color half page ad featured the gift baskets in the MA Getaway Guide. 7,500 copies were distributed throughout the state.
  • Use of MSFA Yahoo Groups has grown, offering valuable access to the entire membership for networking, answers to members' questions, and a forum for concerns.
  • The MSFA is pleased to welcome a new Corporate Sponsor who works in partnership with the MSFA to provide excellent services to the membership: Dimesworth, 170 Gore St., Suite 103, Cambridge, MA 02141-1145.
  • Newly designed MSFA website, www.msfa.net features beautiful photos and graphics as well as an organized, consistent format, thanks to Lee Busch Designs and Callaway Photo.
  • Four new discount programs are now available for MSFA Members: Freight Savers (DHL), Enterprise Rent a Car, Staples and Insurance for Members (health insurance).
  • MSFA members participated in "Made in Massachusetts" a New England Country Festival at Old Sturbridge Village.
  • MSFA members participated in Specialty Foods Day at the Big E, "A Salute to New England Specialty Foods", along with a Networking Event hosted by Steve Quinn, Consulting Fair Director.
  • 3 MSFA members testified at the State House in favor of a bill to prohibit the practice of slotting fees in the supermarkets. 17 packets containing testimonials from MSFA members were mailed to each member of the Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure.
  • MSFA member, Ed Suleski, represented the MSFA as guest auctioneer at the WGBH auction.
  • MSFA members participated in the Summer Fancy Food Show in NY as part of the MDAR's Massachusetts Pavilion.
  • 10 MSFA member companies exhibited at Massachusetts Marketplace at Elm Bank, headquarters of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society. MSFA members also provided refreshments for all exhibitors throughout the day.
  • Four issues of MSFA Newsletter, "Food for Thought" were distributed by email to MSFA members and additional mailing list, including, buyers, press and food editors.
  • MSFA partnered with the Culinary Guild and Women Chefs and Restauranteurs to participate in the Harvest Festival at Verrill Farm. Plans are in the works to participate again this year.
  • Membership of 106 companies, total of 33 NEW MEMBERS, 63 RENEWALS.
  • MSFA representation on the MA Agricultural Promotion Board and The Boston Public Market Association Board.
  • Eight MSFA Members were profiled in "Food for Thought".
  • MSFA members were vendors at the new Summer Boston Public Market on Northern Ave. bridge.
  • MSFA membership's assistance is needed in seeking Corporate Sponsors for sustainable funding, forming partnerships with corporations that want to have a part in helping specialty food businesses grow and flourish. Corporate Sponsor packets are available by contacting Carol Coutrier at the MSFA, (800) 813-5862.

We welcome our new Corporate Sponsor and MSFA Treasurer,

LeAnn Lewis of DimesWorth:  

DimesWorth offers a variety of accounting-based services. QuickBooks training for do-it-yourselfers in both small groups and individual sessions is taught by certified QuickBooks ProAdvisors. Monthly or quarterly review services can assist those clients whose in-house staff performs day-to-day data entry, but whose managerial staff lack the expertise to determine compliance with generally accepted accounting principles.

Ongoing accounting services can be performed on a weekly, biweekly or monthly basis.

Accounting system conversions are typically more challenging projects. As businesses grow and change, their needs change as well. Many times an accounting system, whether paper or computer based, that worked well in earlier years is no longer capable of handling a more abundant transactional flow. Accounting systems set up by non-accountant business owners (or their well-meaning friends or relatives) may not operate in accordance with standard accounting practices, and so may not provide acceptable reporting to bankers, insurance auditors or various tax authorities. Such a project is usually preceded by accounting consulting, both to determine the current needs of the business, and how to best accommodate those requirements, always looking to provide useful, understandable information to the business owner.

Our varied clientele features companies both small and large, of diverse business types, including one- or two-person professional services, non-profits, light manufacturing, importing, retail and wholesale. Current clients include web designers, landscape architects, software developers, photographers, counseling services, property management, graphic designers, and restaurants.

DimesWorth offers a free one hour Needs Assessment to all potential clients. Please call 617-577-1165 for an appointment.

With warm regards,

Carol Coutrier, President

MSFA

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Green Plate Special

2006 Massachusetts Pavilion at the Summer Fancy Food Show

Fancy Food Shows have attracted from 19,000 to 32,000 attendees from specialty food, wine, gift and department stores, supermarkets, restaurants, mail-order and other related businesses. These attendees come to see more than 1,800 exhibitors from around the world, presenting more than 150,000 specialty foods to discover and sample. If you want to see beautifully packaged and innovative specialty foods, it's the place to be!

Consider joining the Massachusetts Pavilion at the 2006 Summer Fancy Food Show, July 9 - 11 at the Jacob Javits Center. You must be a member of NASFT to exhibit. A ten by ten foot booth costs $3,000 however first time exhibitors may be eligible for 50% reimbursement of eligible expenses www.brandedprogram.org

Check out the show details as well as how to apply to be a NASFT member: www.fancyfoodshows.com

[back to top] If you haven't attended the show before, it is a good use of your time to walk the floor. You can preregister to attend on-line. Let me know if you are interested in exhibiting or if you will be visiting the show! Bonita Oehlke, Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources bonita.oehlke@state.ma.us 617-626-1753

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A Foodie

Boston Baking Inc.

We are a fourth generation family business with over 30 years of baking experience and contacts. Boston Baking Inc. has a reputation for quality products and a dedication to service. We embrace a commitment to three principles: Quality, Value and Innovation; QVI. Our commitment to contract baking is to provide a clean and professional production environment, to deliver products on time to specifications, and to be sensitive to pricing needs.

Boston Baking Inc. has a management team in place that supervises production, meets production goals, and maintains quality control standards. Outsourcing production allows an entrepreneur to better manage costs. Boston Baking eliminates the headaches of managing production schedules and personnel. Boston Baking offers an incubation type environment eliminating the costs of a production facility and maintenance problems. We are currently baking for several MSFA members. We would love the opportunity to partner with your company. If you need extra capacity during peak seasons, are expanding your business or just starting out, Boston Baking Inc. may be the solution to your production needs. Free from the day to day production tasks, an entrepreneur can do what you do best. Sales and Marketing! Your concerns become our responsibility.

Boston Baking, Inc. also manufactures a full line of bagels, cookies, scones and muffins.

If you would like hear more about us, give us a call:

Contact

Bob Boschetto
617-770-3304

Photo: Boston Baking Inc's dedicated staff rolling out Bernadettes Biscotti

Asian Creations by Linh & Loann

To most people, gourmet Asian food is only available in fine restaurants. With Asian Creations by Linh & Loann, one can choose from a selection of all natural, high quality sauces and spice blends to create delicious, authentic meals ranging from Thai to Chinese to Indian cuisines. Linh and Loann are two sisters of Vietnamese origin who founded the company, Asian Creations. They were inspired by their world-traveler father and envisioned a way to blend the art of cooking with the ease of creating home made meals. Asian Creations offers dry spices and rubs for various Asian dishes in addition to their sauces, which can be used in a variety of ways from marinades to dressings and dips.

The popular spice blends such as Tasty Tandoori, Sassy Satay, and Luscious Lemongrass are a few of the bestsellers among the delicious selections to choose from. Their collection of sauces includes Peanut Passion, Pad Thai Pizzazz, Tantalizing Teriyaki, and Marvelous Mango.

Asian Creations products are now featured in prestigious retail establishments such as Zabars, Eli', Grace's Marketplace, and 50 plus stores in New York City and the Hamptons. In addition, Asian Creations has an online store (www.asiancreations.net) that offers plenty of appetizing traditional and fusion recipes, such as Grilled Bacon-wrapped Chicken, Peanut Noodles, Mango Shrimp Salad and Thai Pizza. Mmmmm...Are you hungry yet?

Asian Creations by Linh & Loann, Inc.
P.O. Box 1088
Upton, MA 01568
http://www.asiancreations.net/
e-mail: info@asiancreations.net
617-770-3304

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On the Menu - MSFA Calendar of Events

Remember to visit the MSFA web site for calendar updates every month.

MSFA Calendar of Events

MAY

May 1, 2025 Western Mass Food Processing Center First Annual Specialty Food Show 12-6 pm, Greenfield Contact: Herb Heller, herbh@fccdc.org

413-774-7204 x108

 

May 7-9, 2006 Chicago Fancy Food Show, McCormick Place, www.fancyfoodshows.com At the same time at McCormick Place, All Things Organic, FMI, US Food Export Showcase, and United Produce Expo

 

May 9-MSFA Board Meeting, Worcester, MA.

 

May 12, 2025 Introduction to Sales and Marketing of Specialty Foods by Natural Products Consulting Institute, 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM Contact: Herb Heller, herbh@fccdc.org 413-774-7204 x108

 

May 18, 2025 International Foodservice Mission to Boston featuring buyers from three countries Contact: Bonita Oehlke bonita.oehlke@state.ma.us 617-626-1753

 

May 20-23, 2006, National Restaurant Show, Chicago's McCormick Place www.restaurant.org

 

May 24, 2025 Food Industry Expo, Northeast Section, Institute of Food Technologists, Worcester's Centrum Centre, Worcester www.eventswithattitude.com


June

June 7-11, 2006 Place, Taste and Sustenance: The Social Spaces of Food and Agriculture. Boston, MA. The Joint 2006 Annual Meetings of the Agriculture, Food, and Human Values Society (AFHVS) and the Association for the Study of Food and Society (ASFS) include tours, workshops, opportunities to listen to and present papers and panels, chances to participate in roundtable discussions, and times to meet formally and informally with colleagues. For more info, click here

 

June 10, 2025 Annual Native Plant Sale of New England Wild Flower Society at Garden in the Woods. Our annual sale includes 11,000 choice plants for sale and world-class plant experts sharing custom advice for your garden.. 508-877-7630. 180 Hemenway Road, Framingham 10a.m.-3 p.m. Info: www.newfs.org
 

June 14, 2025 MSFA Networking Event at Pemberton Farms, 2225 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA, 3-5 PM.

Contact Ellen Callaway at ellen@callawayphoto.com by June 10 to register.

July

July 8, 2025 International buyers to the Fancy Food Show at the Javits Center. 15 buyers from 9 countries want one-on-one appointments. Contact Bonita Oehlke bonita.oehlke@state.ma.us 617-626-1753

 

July 9-11, 2006 New York Fancy Food Show, Jacob K. Javits Center, New York City, www.fancyfoodshows.com

 

July 15 MSFA Newsletter, "Food for Thought".

 

July 18 MSFA Board Meeting.

 

July 27, 2025 Second Annual Celebration of Women in Agriculture Cheryl Rogowski, owner of W. Rogowski Farm in Pine Island, NY and MacArthur Foundation Genius Award recipient will speak. 6 pm. Dinner provided. Location: Whatley Town Hall. Registration preferred by July 24


AUGUST


August 10-13, 2006 NOFA 30th annual summer conference, Amherst www.nofa.org
August 12, 2025 Massachusetts Marketplace at Elm Bank contact: Jen Courtney 617-933-4982 jcourtney@masshort.org


SEPTEMBER

September 12 MSFA Board Meeting.
September 29, 2025 Salute to New England Specialty Foods at the Big E, Springfield, MA bonita.oehlke@state.ma.us
September 30-Oct. 1 Old Sturbridge Village New England Fall Festival.

Contact Deb Friedman at dfriedman@osv.org .

 

OCTOBER

October 4-7 Natural Products Expo East, Baltimore www.expoeast.com

October 15 MSFA Newsletter, "Food for Thought".

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photo by Callaway photo
 

The Food Network - Networking Events

Networking Event June 14, 2006, 3-5 PM at Pemberton Farms in Cambridge

Network with MSFA members in the middle of a country roadside-farm stand-garden center located in the city of Cambridge. Pemberton Farms provides customers with a very upscale natural gourmet market and features a full line of natural foods, organic produce, seafood, cheeses, breads, pastries and desserts, European Deli and catering.

A number of MSFA members' products are sold here.

Pemberton Farms makes and sells the MSFA gift baskets made up of MSFA members' products and generously donates 10% of the sales to the MSFA. The MSFA is very pleased to have Pemberton Farms as a partner in our gift basket program!

The Garden Center surrounds the Farm Stand and sets the mood of the season with its offerings of annuals, perennials, nursery, pottery, hard goods and a whole lot more in the spring and summer months.

Pemberton Farms is located at 2225 Mass. Ave., Cambridge, MA  02130, 617-491-2244. It is north of Porter Square and South of Route 16. See you there!

Please contact Ellen Callaway, MSFA Networking Coordinator, if you would like to attend. Ellen@callawayphoto.com Please contact Ellen if you would like to host an MSFA networking event.

Directions to Pemberton Farms:

Route 128 to Route 2 East. At the end of Route 2 bear left onto Route 16, follow straight about 1/4 mile to the first light and take a right onto Mass. Ave. Pemberton Farms is located about 3/4 mile on the left.

From Interstate 90 (Mass. Pike), take Allston/Brighton Exit through, then cross bridge, go left onto Memorial Drive. Turn right onto JFK Blvd and stay straight to get onto Mass. Ave.  Pemberton Farms is about 1 1/2 miles North of Harvard Square on the right.

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Just Desserts! Members in the Spotlight

MSFA Members Exhibit at the N.E. Foodservice & Lodging Show

 

Several MSFA members exhibited in and out of the MSFA pavilion at the N.E. Foodservice and Lodging show April 9,10,11, 2006. The MSFA was a sponsoring organization of the show and was pleased to be offered a booth space (#138) this year. Ellen Callaway of Callaway Photo designed a beautiful booth for the MSFA, featuring color photos and brochures of our members' products. The MSFA also had a full page color ad in the show Directory and Buyers Guide, thanks to Bohoy Design.

 

MSFA members exhibiting at the show included:

Carolyn's Gourmet

Cayman Islands Dept. of Tourism

Hot Mama's Foods

Mizzannye's Specialty Foods

NottingHall, the Place for Tea

SpassoFoods

Myron's Fine Foods

Bernadette's Biscotti

Zoe Foods


Ellen Callaway at the MSFA Booth, NEFS Show


MSFA Ad in NEFS Show Directory and Guide

Hurley's To Open Retail Store!

Hurley's Boston Irish Baking Co. announces its plans today to open "Hurley's Boston Irish", a specialty Irish coffee shop in the Logan Square Section of Hyde Park. The shop will feature Hurley's renowned Irish breads and crisps alongside premium coffee, cappuccino, and select teas.

"Kiss Me I'm Imus" at the Ritz-Carlton Boston.

For the third consecutive year, Hurley's Boston Irish Baking Co. sponsored the 96.9 FM TALK WTKK St. Patrick's Day broadcast from the Ritz-Carlton- Boston. The March 17th event, "Kiss Me, I'm Imus", featured legendary radio icon Don Imus as well as political and celebrity guests including Senator John F. Kerry (D-MA), Governor Mitt Romney (R-MA), Presidential Historian Doris Kearns Goodwin, and WTKK's Mike Barnicle. Over 700 loyal fans arrived at the Ritz-Carlton as early as 5:00 a.m. to enjoy the live broadcast while noshing on Hurley's breads and crisps! PHOTO: Executive Producer Mark Chertoff and Don Imus conversing with Sean Hurley about the crisps. In the foreground: Doris Kearns Goodwin, Monica Crowley and Charles McCord.

Hurley's Featured in the Boston Globe.

"The best thing about a traditional breakfast (or any other meal) in Ireland is the fresh, hearty bread, especially if it's dotted with raisins and, even though some may disagree, caraway seeds. Bread doesn't stay fresh for very long, though, so you can't keep it in the cupboard until you need it. Enter Hurley's....

MSFA Members Participate in Seminar at NCV:  Marketing for Food Businesses:  Stories of Success

Chris Gagnon of Dancing Deer Bakery served on a panel of specialty food producers and other successful small business people, food marketers and brokers at an engaging seminar for entrepreneurs at NCV on Jan. 31.  MSFA members attending the seminar included:

Jill Brooks, Her Mitts

Ellen Callaway, Callaway Photo

Deborah Taylor, Deborah's Kitchen

Chris LaPlaca, Rebecca's Nut-Free

Susan Lancaster, The Bristol Marketing Group

Bill Bennet

Carol Coutrier, The Launching Pad & Co.

Cory Clarke-Shootflying Hill Sauce Co.

Bonita Oehlke, MDAR

VRG-NEWS: The Vegetarian Resource Group Newsletter, recognized Legere Nutritional Foods in their January 2006 issue:

- " It's better than mustard," and it's true! This spread, made by Legere
Nutritional Foods, is dairy- and gluten-free. Plus Red Star Nutritional
Yeast is one of the main ingredients. I use it in place of mustard or as
a vegetable dip. The company also makes two salad dressings: Original
Nutritional Dressing or Balsamic Dill Dressing. These products are
available from several online vegetarian retailers. You may also
contact Legere Nutritional Foods, LLP, at P.O. Box 123, Leverett, MA
01054, or (888) 534-3737.

Alpine Ice was featured in Short Orders in The Boston Globe on
Wednesday, March 29, 2026 and also in Hampshire College's magazine for
Alumni and Friends in the Winter/Spring 2006 issue. In additional,
articles on Alpine Ice have run in The Boston Globe North, Marblehead
Reporter, The Republican, The Recorder, and Daily Hampshire Gazette.
Alpine Ice is the brand name of a product line created by Mountain
Herbal Foods.

BOHOY DESIGN recently designed a show booth and freestanding banners for Xenon Corporation. Manufacturers of Pulsed UV light, Xenon, among other things, provides light treatment for food sterilization and decontamination.

BOHOY DESIGN designed in-store signage and labeling for The Fruitful Basket, a specialty food retail location on the North Shore.



Morning Glory was featured in a story n The Herald News titled

"Coffee Syrup + Glory Days: Success Just Gets Sweeter for the Sylvias"

The Providence Journal also featured a story on Morning Glory:

"High End Coffee Syrup.  Handmade Morning Glory Tries to fill a Java Niche"

Spasso Foods' Curtis Grace was featured in an article in New Hampshire Business Review titled "Storyfield Institute Inspires Success Stories" on March 17, 2006.

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Member Participation
exclusive content for members only

Call for New Products: Summer Fancy Food Show

Gourmet News would like to know if your company will be unveiling any new products at the Summer Fancy Food Show in July. We define new products as items being unveiled FOR THE FIRST TIME at the show.

This is a free editorial listing. Products introduced at other shows and/or in your catalogs or on your Web site before these tradeshows do not qualify.

Please email, fax or mail the following information by May 5:

Please include:
-Your booth number;
-product name(s) and brief description of the product(s);
-colors/sizes/materials/flavors you will debut;
-suggested retail price;
-phone number for retail orders;
-complete mailing address; and,
-URL.
-one color photo (optional)

Please send new product announcement(s) together with ONE color photo. If you are introducing multiple products, please tell us the details about all the products, but please submit only ONE photo to represent your company.

PHOTO: Email is fine if it is a high rez image captured at 300 dpi in an eps, tif or jpeg format. We have 2 mb limit on attachments so please STUFF or ZIP. If you are sizing the image, it should be 2 inches wide. Or you can snail mail color print or high rez image on a ZIP disk or a CD rom formatted for the MAC platform. Because of the volume of new product announcements received, Gourmet News is unable to return artwork.

NOTE: Sorry, but we can not accept/use 3.5" floppy disks, PDFs, Power Point presentations, or Word attachments with embedded graphics. Items are considered in the order received. We must have your booth number for consideration.

Keep us in the loop about other matters. We do write about mergers/acquisitions, relocating facilities, new products, broker /distributor appointments, personnel changes, lawsuits in the gourmet industry-each month in Gourmet News.

If you are not attending the Summer Fancy Food Show but are introducing new products later in the year, let us know what and when.

See you at the shows!

Anna Wolfe
Editor
Gourmet News
awolfe@gourmetnews.com
Attn. SFFS products
PO Box 1056
106 Lafayette Street 2nd Floor

Western Mass. Food Processing Center

And The Natural Products Consulting Institute

Present:

Introduction to Sales and Marketing of Specialty Foods

May 12, 2025 - 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM

The Franklin County CDC is pleased to offer this workshop to our Food Center members, and to the members of the Massachusetts Specialty Food Association. This workshop will provide valuable insights and strategies for:

- Budgeting and planning

- Pricing and Margins

- Distributor Programs

- Trade Promotions

- Managing Brokers

- Effective Sales Calls

Whether you are just starting out, or have been at it for a few years, this information and industry insight will be invaluable. Bob Burke, of the The Natural Products Consulting Institute (NPCI), provides high-level training and consulting for marketers of specialty food products nationwide. Bob Burke has extensive product marketing knowledge, having served with Stonyfield Farms and providing private consulting throughout the trade. Also presenting at the workshop will be John Maggiore, former Natural Category Manager at Stop and Shop, currently providing consulting and brokerage services for the supermarket distribution channel.

This content of this workshop is an introductory version of the NPCIÌs seminar series, the full value of which is over $700. The content and time involved will be targeted to the small producer, and will provide each of you with valuable tools to grow your business. We have been able to secure the NPCIÌs participation for this event at a great price: $100 per person, and $75 for each additional person from the same company.

Franklin County Community Development Corporation

324 Wells Street, Greenfield, MA 01301
413-774-7204 fax 413-773-3562

Introduction to Sales and Marketing of Specialty Foods

When: Friday, May 12, 2025

Where: CDC Conference Room, 324 Wells St., Greenfield, MA

Cost: $100 by May 1, 2006. $125 after May 1

$75 for each additional person from the same company.

Event Starts: 10:00AM

Event Ends: 2:00 PM Refreshments, light breakfast, and lunch will be provided.

Your Information

Company:

Owner or Principal:

Business Address:

City:State:Zip:_____________________

Email:________________________________________Phone:_____________________

Return form, with check made payable to:

FCCDC, ATTN: Judy Scherer, 324 Wells St. Greenfield, MA 01301

Attn: Food Show

Join Boston Public Market on Old Northern Avenue Bridge this Season: Apply Today!

If you are interested in marketing and selling your product to residents, tourists, and businesses in downtown Boston this season, you have come to the right place. Boston Public Market Association (BPMA) operates a seasonal market on the Boston Waterfront, adjacent to both Fort Point Channel and the financial district, with continuous foot traffic.

Boston Public Market Association represents the only market in Boston whose mission is to build a permanent year-round market supporting local producers. We are a non-profit organization that supports local producers, and we are serious about creating an avenue for you to showcase your products, and celebrate the diversity of Massachusetts's culture.

The market starts on Thursday, June 8th and ends, Thursday, November 4th. The hours of operation are Thursday's, rain or shine, from 11:30-7:00 P.M. and Saturday from 9:00-1:00 P.M.

BPMA will provide you with set-up and breakdown of one ten-foot tent, electricity, some storage space, and parking. Most importantly, we help sell your products to customers through direct and online marketing, coupled with a strong public relations effort. Last year we received press from most of the major publications in Boston, and received " Best of the New" from The Boston Globe in its January 2006 issue.

This season, we are looking for New England producers in the following categories:

Seasonal Farm Fresh Fruits, Vegetables and Greens

Certified Organic Produce

Honey and Maple Syrup Manufactures

Body Products

Local Herbs and Spices

Flowers including Fresh-Cut, Annuals and Perennials

Specialty Products including Infused Oils, Jams, Relishes, Sauces

Natural or Organic Raised Meats

Dairy, Cheese, Ice Cream, Gelato

Homemade Artisan Breads

Prepared Foods and/or Baked Goods

Beverages

Artisans

And more.

If you are interested in applying to become a Boston Public Market vendor, call 617-492-7137 to learn more about Boston Public Market.

Thank you,

Sarah


Sarah E. Kline
Boston Public Market Association

Boston Public Market Association c/o The Federation of Massachusetts Farmers' Markets,

240 Beaver Street, Waltham, MA 02452

p: 781-893-8222 f: 781-893-8777

Farmers' Markets Seeking Vendors - 2006 Note: This list is being updated daily. Contact David Webber at 617-626-1754 or david.webber@state.ma.us for more information.

Adams, Wednesdays, 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm, Seeking eggs, garlic, maple syrup. Contact Emma Morin, 413-743-5613

Ashfield, Saturdays, 8:30 am - 12:30 pm, Seeking cheese, meat, fruit. Contact Amy Klippenstein, 413-625-0011 or amy@greenspacecollaborative.org

Ayer, Saturdays, 8:00 am - 1:00 pm, Seeking all products, especially fruit, honey, herbs, plants, ethnic products. Contact Ruth Rhonemus, 978-772-5890 or ruth_rhonemus@netzero.net

Boston Public Market/Northern Avenue Bridge, Thursdays, 11:30 am - 7:00 pm, Seeking all types of products, Contact Sarah Kline at 617-492-7137 or sekline@comcast.net

Brockton City Hall Plaza, Fridays, 10:30 am - 1:30 pm (or until sold out), Seeking all types of products, Contact John Dudley, 508-586-0500, x 225 or johnd@metrosouthchamber.com

Chelmsford, Wednesdays, 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm, Any products except hanging baskets, geraniums. Contact Chris Laughton, 978-251-4001 or chris@laughtonnursery.com

Easthampton, Tuesdays, 2:30 pm - 6:30 pm, Seeking fruit. Contact Jane Pepin, 413-527-5689

Fall River/Ruggles Park, Wednesdays, 9:00 am - 1:00 pm and Kennedy Park, Saturdays, 7:30 am - 12:30 pm, Contact Sue Medeiros, 508-669-5411

Franklin, Fridays, 1:00 pm - 6:00 pm, Seeking processed foods, bakers, crafters. Contact Michelle Reid, 508-541-6301

Granby, Fridays, 3:00 pm - 7:00 pm, Seeking all types of products. Contact Ken Ittner, 413-467-2905 or leaderofthepack@comcast.net

Groton, Fridays, 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm, Seeking cheese, maple and honey products. Contact Lili Ott, 978-448-1192 or liliott@juno.com

Hingham, Saturdays, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm, Seeking fall products, mums, cider, pears. Contact Marti Amdur, 781-749-0691

Holden, Tuesdays, 3:00 pm - 7:00 pm, Seeking native corn, berries, vegetables. (producer only market). Contact Jacqueline Marsh, 978-874-0244

Hyannis, Wednesdays, 8:00 am - 1:00 pm, Seeking cape cod farmers and value added farm products, Contact Karen Lee, 508-432-3557 or info@pleasantlakefarm.com

Ipswich, Saturdays, 9:00 am - Noon, Seeking baked goods and other culinary items, grilled vegetables, soups. Contact Bill Walton, 978-356-4622

Mansfield, Thursdays, 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm, Seeking products other than produce. Contact Beth Flint, 508-339-7115 or bflint1@comcast.net

Mass Turnpike, Various days and locations, Contact David Fenton, 781-431-5192 or dave.fenton@mta.state.ma.us

Middleboro, Saturdays, 9:00 am - 1:00 pm, Seeking vegetables, baked goods, honey, fruit, jams and jellies, eggs, soap, baskets, wool products. Contact Mike Nash, 508-866-2428

Natick, Saturdays, 9:00 am - 1:00 pm, Seeking value added items. Contact Debra Sayre, 508-653-6596 or debra@sayre.com

North Adams, Saturdays, 8:00 - Noon, Seeking everything except vegetables, Contact Everett Randall, 413-664-6180 or tourist@bcn.net

North Easton, Tuesdays, 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm and Saturdays, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm, Seeking cheese, baked goods, Contact Jean Crandell, 508-238-6049

Orange, Thurdays, 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm, Seeking local crafts, prepared foods, cheese. Contact Joseph Cuneo, 978-544-7834 or cuneovalleyview@aol.com

Paxton, Thursday, 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm, Seeking produce, baked goods, and dairy products. Contact Cindy Cheever, 508-7544-3657 or cheever121@netzero.com

Pittsfield, Wednesday and Saturday, 8:00 am - 2:00 pm, Seeking cheese, specialty items, Contact Ken Wirtes, Sr, 413-499-1012

Rehoboth, Saturdays, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm, Contact Bob Peasley, 508-336-4779

Roxbury/Dudley Town Common, Tuesday and Thursdays, 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm, Seeking fruit and specialty items, Contact Bob Burns, 617-442-1322 or bburns@thefoodproject.org

South Boston, Mondays, Noon - 6:00 pm. Contact Mary Lou Rosher, 617-464-5858 or marosher@sbchc.org.

Springfield/Tower Square, Fridays, 10:00 am - 3:00 pm, Seeking a variety of products, Contact Annette Scheidecker, 413733-2171 or ascheidecker@towersquare.net

Sterling, Fridays, 3:00 pm - 6:30 pm, Seeking produce, baked goods, dairy products. Contact Cindy Cheever, 508-754-3657 or cheever121@netzero.com

Sturbridge, Thursdays, 11:00 am - 3:30 pm, Seeking honey, maple products and organics, Contact Andy O'Keefe, 508-753-7761

Topsfield, Saturdays, 7:00 am - Noon, Seeking fruits and vegetables. Contact Jane Cook, 978-922-1648

Waltham, Saturdays, 9:30 am - 2:30 pm, Seeking mushrooms, fish, turkey, jams, maple syrup. Contact Marc Rudnick, 781-899-6230 or wfm@inspectorhomes.com

Worcester Common, Fridays, 9:30 am - 2:00 pm, Seeking bread, honey, maple products, Contact Andy O'Keefe, 508-753-7761

Worcester/Westside, Monday and Wednesday, 9:30 am - 2:00 pm, Mondays only - honey, maple syrup, organics, bread, Contact Andy O'Keefe, 508-753-7761

Proposed Markets

Belmont, Contact Heli Tomford, 617-484-0170 or htomford@gmail.com

Cambridge/Harvard Univeristy, Tuesdays, 1:00 pm - 6:00 pm, Contact Jessica Zdeb, 617-496-6201 or Jessica_zdeb@Harvard.edu

Reading, Contact Michelle Ferullo, 781-942-5902

A New England Fall Festival at Old Sturbridge Village

Old Sturbridge Village, in conjunction with our fall signature event "A New England Fall Festival", would like to invite you to participate in a food purveyor's tent on the common at Old Sturbridge Village.  The event will take place the weekend of September 30  & October 1, 2006.  The purpose of the food product tent is to showcase the products of New England food purveyors, while allowing you to also sell your wares.  The tent is part of a weekend that will include an heirloom vegetable display, musicians, heritage breeds of animals, harvest activities, a craft tent of local craftsmen, demonstrations by all the museumÌs historic craft shops, and much more.

Please look over the enclosed materials that should provide more of the specifics for the event, and feel free to contact me with any questions.  Space is somewhat limited, and we would love to have your confirmation as soon as possible, so that we can let people know about some of the great products that will be available at the Fair. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me either by e-mail at dfriedman@osv.org or by telephone at 508-347-0283. 

Sincerely,

Deb Friedman

Special Events Coordinator

Food Vendor Agreement (doc)

Food Vendor Guidelines (doc)

Invitational Letter (doc)

Northeast Food Technologists Expo May 24th, Worcester

This no-cost meeting offers a very good opportunity to talk with food scientists and ingredient suppliers about your value-added products, as well as attend seminars on the latest issues relating to ingredients, and labeling, to name a few topics. Plan to head to the DCU Center in Worcester on May 24th for morning seminars and supplier exhibits starting at 2 pm. Seminar topics include: Benefits and methods of using consumer panels, Developing 'flavor authenticity'...not 'dumbing down' a flavor profile to satisfy the 'least common denominator' and a two hour session on 'SELLING" ! This includes 1) selling to new customers and 2) selling MORE to your existing customers.To register, go to http://www.eventswithattitude.com/

International Buyers to Boston for Foodservice Products May 18th

Capitalize on the increased demand for American foodservice products and the strong growth of the international food sector by joining a Foodservice Buyers Mission to Massachusetts on May 18, 2006. Nine buyers from Central America, Korea and the Middle East will be in Boston for one-on-one meetings. They will provide direct feedback on your product's overseas market potential as well as a chance to develop relationships and sales. Pre-event assistance is available for export pricing and quotations, among other topics. The final registration date is May 6. Contact Bonita Oehlke bonita.oehlke@state.ma.us 617-626-1753

Bonita Oehlke
Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources
251 Causeway Street, Suite 500
Boston, MA 02114
617-626-1753 FAX: 617-626-1850
www.mass.gov/massgrown

Massachusetts Agricultural Promotion Board

Participation Form

Massachusetts Agriculture Day at the State House 2006

Wednesday, May 3, 2025

Please fill out the form below to reserve a space. Space is very limited.

Please send completed form to: Mary Jordan, Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources, 251 Causeway Street, Boston, MA 02114-2151, fax to (617) 626-1850 or email to: Mary.Jordan@state.ma.us

Event Schedule

10am - 2pm

           9:30 - 11:15am   Exhibitor Setup in Great Hall (10:30am Food set-up)

            10:00 - 10:30 am  Farmer Orientation w/Farm Bureau in the Great Hall

            10:00 - 11:30 am Farmer - Legislator visitations

            11:15am - 11.45 Speaking Program

            11.45 pm  Taste of Massachusetts" Reception in the Great Hall.  

* Parking is available at public garages in the area. There is no parking available at the State House garage

Due to limited space, each exhibitor will receive only one six-foot table, with tablecloth. Tables will be marked.  

Recommend a minimum of 600 samples.   Exhibitors must supply their own napkins, plates, cups, and necessary utensils.  In order to comply with the rules of the State House Building Operations, PARTICIPATION FORM MUST BE RETURNED BY APRIL 14, 2025 TO RESERVE BOOTH SPACE - NO SPACE CAN BE RESERVED WITHOUT COMPLETING THIS FORM. 

Name of Organization:______________________________________________

Contact person for exhibit:____________________________________________
Others attending (for name tags please use back of this page to add to list)______________________________________________________________

Address:__________________________________________________________

Phone Number, Fax Number & Email Address:______________________________

Phone: _______________________ Fax:________________________  Email: ___________________

Will your organization have an exhibit of material and/ or food? (Please circle)

Please list the product/food item to be sampled at your table:______________________________

Do you need electricity? _____

If you have questions, please contact:

 Mary Jordan at 617-626-1750 or via email Mary.Jordan@state.ma.us

Or

Bonita Oehlke at 617-626-1753 or via email Bonita.Oehlke@state.ma.us

 


If you have food products that you would like to have prepared by the Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical High School Culinary Arts Program, please list:_________________________________________ YOU WILL NEED TO DELIVER THE PRODUCT(S) TO THE SCHOOL DURING DESIGNATED TIME.  DETAILED INFORMATION WILL SENT AFTER THIS FORM IS COMPLETED AND RETURNED.   CONFIRMATION WILL BE SENT ONCE FORM HAS BEEN RECEIVED.

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Member FYI
exclusive content for members only

Discount Now Available for MSFA Members from Enterprise Rent a Car

MSFA Members may now enjoy a discount on car rentals from Enterprise Rent a Car.  Go to the Enterprise website, http://www.enterprise.com/  and type in the MSFA discount number 10ER111 or call Enterprise at 800-736-8222 and give the MSFA association number.

________________________________________________________________

One Decision Making Tool that you will Use Everyday

The Basic Breakeven Calculation

The basic breakeven calculation is (Fixed cost/Contribution)

Contribution is defined as (Sales-variable cost)

So: Breakeven = Fixed Costs

Sales-Variable Costs

Where: Fixed costs are costs that donÌt change with volume

Such as: rent

ad costs

salaries

slotting...uh...what's that?

Where: Sales are "net sales" after returns, discounts and allowances - can be unit sales, such as in the net price of one unit or sales for a period of time-depending on what you are calculating the breakeven of.

Where: Variable costs are costs that do change with volume

Such as: cost of goods

Broker commissions

Promotional allowances

The Breakeven calculation is a simple formula which is used in daily decision making.

Example: I make it for $4.00 (Cost of goods + commissions + shipping), I sell it for $8.00 (after any promotional allowances), thus my contribution per case is $4.00.

How many cases do I need to sell to pay for the $1,000 slotting investment (or ad, or demo, etc.)? 

$1,000/($8.00-$4.00) = $1,000/$4.00 = 250 cases

Now you can look at:

1. How many weeks before I breakeven on my marketing investment

2. If it is outside my normal parameters is it a good long term investment strategically?

Another example, put another way, is if I spend $60,000 to hire a sales rep that will cost me another $20,000 in benefits and travel expenses, my investment is $80,000. Using the example above, I could say that this rep needs to generate 20,000 incremental cases ($80,000/$4.00 contribution) before paying for himself. I could also say that if my contribution margin is 50% ($8.00 - $4.00), then $80,000/50% = $160,000 in incremental sales (that is, sales I wouldnÌt have gotten without this rep) to breakeven.

If you clearly understand this, the financial implications of most investments are put into perspective.

Granted all of your decisions wonÌt boil down to strictly a breakeven even calculation-but it is an important context by which you can weigh other short term and long term strategic issues.

Please feel free to call or email with any questions.

Prepared by Bob Burke, Natural Products Consulting, 978-975-9902,

BBurke@NPCInstitue.com       http://www.npcinstitute.com/,          http://www.naturalconsulting.com/

First Annual Mass Specialty Food Show

The Western Mass Food CenterÌs upcoming May 1st food show at the Franklin County CDC is looking good! We have filled all of our available spaces with 30 exhibitors: A great turnout for our first "buyers-only" food show. After personally contacting over 100 buyers representing distributors and niche retail outlets including co-ops, specialty stores, and Whole Foods stores in New England, we have gotten an excellent response from the buyer community. Nearly a dozen Whole Foods locations will be sending buyers. In all, we anticipate between 50 and 100 qualified buyers from Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Vermont and New Hampshire attending the show.

In addition to the buyers, the event will be attended by Doug Gillespie, Commissioner of the Mass Department of Agricultural Resources, regional media outlets, state and local political leaders, and CDC stakeholders. We are very excited about the response to the show. If the show is as successful for our exhibitors as we expect, we will make this an annual event in a larger venue. The focus for this event will always be small producers, artisan products, and local production. Our thanks go out to all the exhibitors, and the MSFA for helping to publicize the event. We hope this show will help you create new relationships and expand your business.

Herb Heller

Program Manager

Western Mass Food Processing Center

Franklin County CDC

324 Wells St.

Greenfield, MA 01301

(413) 774-7204 x108

http://www.fccdc.org/

Job Openings at Dancing Deer

We are adding talent to the team and would be grateful for your help in finding the GEMS. Descriptions are posted at www.dancingdeer.com/jobs, also summarized below. WeÌre requesting resumes only to be emailed to jobs06@dancingdeer.com with the job title in the subject line. We will get back to everyone but request no phone calls. Candidate should note the referral source if appropriate.  All jobs carry serious tasting responsibilities.
Only folks who are fun, love the Dancing Deer mission, thrive on challenge, believe in meritocracy,
welcome the vicissitudes of growth and change and are super smart . . . . need apply.

Executive
VP or SVP Sales/Marketing
Senior executive with impressive track record in food industry, e-commerce and multi-channel experience. Looking for superb team leader and innovative business builder. Reporting to CEO with broad responsibilities to achieve aggressive growth plan.

Operations
Master Scheduler & Operations Specialist
Central switch in the growing Operations organization, reporting to VP Operations. Should be a curious quant jock, analytically rigorous and have a passion for operations, teamwork and efficiencies.

Sales & Administration
Manager of Ecommerce
Key position in building the companyÌs future. Strong marketing and operations track record in ecommerce.

Sales Associate and Merchandise Coordinator
Integral member of a small sales team and relationship manager for select web and catalog resellers. Will assist in product development and new product introduction/management. Require super organized self-starter with excellent communication skills and sales instincts.

Executive Assistant to the CEO
Responsible for all traditional EA functions plus a significant amount of community affairs interface. Reports to CEO with extensive interface with Manager of Public Relations (for those of you who know and love Ursula sheÌs still hard at it). Require super organized self-starter, pro-active multi-tasker with excellent communication skills.

Trish Karter
President
Dancing Deer Baking Company, Inc.
77 Shirley Street
Boston, MA 02119
voice 617.442.7300 ext. 209
fax 617.442.8118
trish@dancingdeer.com

Massachusetts Agriculture Calendar Photo Contest Returns

Amateur photographers who enjoy capturing local rural scenes, farm animals and fresh produce are invited to enter the Massachusetts Agriculture Photo Contest sponsored by the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and Massachusetts Agriculture in the Classroom, Inc. Winning photos will be featured in the 2007 Massachusetts Agriculture Calendar.

Twelve photos will be selected, one for each month. Photos will be selected that depict the diversity of agriculture, horticulture, and natural resources on the commonwealth's farms throughout the year. Visit here for last years winners: http://www.mass.gov/agr/events/index.htm

Winning photographers will be credited in the calendar, will be invited to attend a winner's ceremony at the Eastern States Exposition (The Big E) in Springfield in September and tickets to the fair, and will receive copies of the calendar.

The Massachusetts Agriculture Calendar will also feature facts and figures about Bay State agriculture, horticulture and conservation, as well as other educational resources. Information about how to order the calendar will be announced on file:///W:\dfa\website_new\dfa\massgrown\index.htm in the fall. Calendars will also be available at selected public events. Deadline for submissions is June 1, 2025. Questions, contact Rick LeBlanc at MDAR,
(617) 626-1759 or Richard.LeBlanc@state.ma.us.

Photo Contest Rules

- All photos must depict an aspect of Massachusetts agriculture or horticulture.

- Photos must have been taken in Massachusetts within the past three years.

- Entrants must be a resident of Massachusetts. Professional photographers are not eligible to enter. Photos must be taken by the entrant.

- All entries must be photographic prints no smaller than 4x6 inches and no larger than 8x10 inches.

- All photos must be submitted as prints including slides and digital photos.

- Original negative or slide should be available upon request; digital photos should be available on CD, diskette or via e-mail.

- Photos must not be framed or mounted. Photographers may submit no more than five photos.

*Type or neatly print the following information on an index card or paper, and attach with tape to the back of the photo: entrant name, address, telephone number, e-mail address, where the photo was taken, month and year photo was taken. Please do not write on the back of the photo, staple or use paper clips, as this will damage the photograph.

Winning photos will become the property of the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources. Winning photos will be published in the 2006 Massachusetts Agriculture Calendar, and may be used on the sponsoring organizations' websites and consumer publications. Neither the Mass. Dept. of Agricultural Resources, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, nor Mass. Agriculture in the Classroom, Inc. will be held responsible for lost submissions.

Employees of the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and Massachusetts Agriculture in the Classroom, Inc. are not eligible to enter the contest.

Send entries to: Photo-Contest, Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources, 251 Causeway Street, Suite 500, Boston, MA 02114. Questions: Rick LeBlanc, 617-626-1759, Richard.LeBlanc@state.ma.us.

From Gourmet News:

Study: healthy, smaller portions expected to lead food trends in 2006
CHICAGO-Research firm Mintel forecasts that portion control and Ïbrain power foodsÓ will continue to lead new product food trends for 2006.
Read more: http://www.gourmetnews.com/index.php?p=article& id=gn200604IBgXwq

Food label bill heads to the Senate
WASHINGTON-The U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 4167 by a vote of 283-139 on March 8. If signed into law, the bill would require uniform federal food labeling that supercedes all state and local labeling laws.
Read more:
http://www.gourmetnews.com/index.php?p=article& id=gn200603XmeMed

FDA Releases Draft of Whole Grain Guidance


WASHINGTON - Kicking off a 60-day comment period on yet another labeling issue, the Food and Drug Administration issued a draft guidance on what the term " whole grain" may include Feb. 15.
Read more:
http://www.gourmetnews.com/index.php?p=article& id=gn200602QXYwo0

News From the Dartmouth Grange's Shared Use Kitchen Project

Just a quick update...

Everything is moving along at the Grange thanks to G.N.B.R.Voc-Tech students and the Town of Dartmouth through the Agricultural Preservation Trust Council and Community Preservation Committee. In the last month, we have tackled...

  • The installation of suspended ceilings in the restrooms, as well as the lighting & exhaust fans in those rooms

  • The underlayment for the finished floors

  • The installation of FRP washable wall board

  • The construction of the retaining wall

  • The hood is currently being constructed.

  • Also, over $600 in donations came in for the kitchen within a week, unsolicited!

  • Furthermore, the Grange applied for funding through the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources to develop a website so interested people can easily access information on the Grange and the Kitchen - included in the plans...a virtual tour!

  • Mark your calendars! We are planning a ribbon cutting ceremony for Friday, June 23rd at 10:00am and an all-day open house the following day, Saturday, June 24th.

    The Dartmouth Grange, established in 1888, is part of the national organization of Granges formed in 1867 originally to assist farmers devastated by the Civil War. The Dartmouth Grange has evolved into a community organization serving rural and urban residents by providing opportunities for fellowship and community service. With our roots in agriculture and our commitment to a better quality of life, the Regional Shared-Use Community Kitchen was developed to support local food processing and farm businesses and encourage consumers to buy and eat locally grown products; key ingredients to protecting our rural landscape and heritage.

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    New Product Announcements

    Attention Moms! Zoe's O's Cereals are First to Offer Nut-Free O's

    Great-tasting O's offer ALA Omega-3 for a Healthy Heart, 5g Fiber and 5g Protein

    BOSTON, MA-February 20, 2006-Zoe Foods announces that its new Zoe's O's are completely nut-free and are manufactured in a nut-free facility. This change stems from a commitment by Zoe Foods to create the most family-friendly, accessible, healthy O's possible, with the same great benefits offered in Zoe's Granolas, plus even more.

    Zoe's O's are a simple and delicious nut-free "O" cereal with enough nutritious wallop for any child or adult to keep heart healthy.  ÏWeÌve packed terrific nutrition into a great tasting product, says Tori Stuart, Founder and President of Zoe Foods.  Zoe's O's are the first "O's" to contain heart-healthy omega-3s, in addition to whole grains recommended in the latest dietary guidelines from the Departments of Health and Human Services and Agriculture.


    Zoe Foods Introduces New Chocolate Peanut Butter Bliss Bar -A Long-Lasting Heart-Healthy Energy and Weight-loss Booster to Satisfy Hunger and Taste

    Delicious Wholesome Snack Packed with 5g Fiber and 8g Protein Offers 100% Daily Value of ALA Omega-3 for a Healthy Heart

    BOSTON, MA -- March 20, 2006-Zoe Foods announces the addition of Chocolate Peanut Butter Bliss to its bar line, offering a heavenly new taste combined with long-lasting energy and health benefits.  Zoe's Bars contain a winning combination of 5 grams of fiber and 8 grams of protein to balance energy and hunger levels and assist in weight loss and maintenance.  Zoe's Bars are the first whole grain snack bar packed with ground flaxseed, offering 100% of the daily value for essential fatty acid ALA omega-3, along with soy to make a strong duo for a healthy heart and weight regimen.

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                                              

    Ursula Liff

    Dancing Deer Baking Company

    Ursula.liff@dancingdeer.com

    617.442.7300  x210

     

    Dancing Deer Baking Co. Launches New Shortbread Cookie Line

    Boston, MA (March 24, 2026) -The Deers are proud to introduce four new members of our family, inheritors of a great tradition of all-natural, home-baked, hand-decorated creations.  Dancing Deer's fresh baked cookies are so popular, they tend to fly off the shelves.  In response to popular demand, we created a line of boxed Shortbread Cookies that will be found in the grocery aisle.  Cookies are packed in 2-cookie individual servings so they stay fresh longer and are great for tossing into a lunch bag.

    Dancing Deer's Shortbread Cookie Line includes:

    Maple Pecan Shortbread Nuggets-Twelve nuggets of pure toasty pecan and buttery sweet maple YUMMINESS all wrapped up in one simple box. All-Natural, no-trans fats.  Suggested retail price: $3.99. 12 nuggets, Net Food Weight, 6.0 oz (170.4 g).

    Lemon Daisy Cookies-Buttery, lemony, loves me, loves me not cookies.  We've been eating them petal by petal. Either way it's time to sow more seeds.  Hand decorated, all-Natural, no-trans fats.  Suggested retail price: $4.49. 12 daisies, Net Food Weight, 6.0 oz (170.4 g).

    Triple Chocolate Chip Cookies-There are three chocolates in each one of these tasty cookies YIPEE!  We are trying to consume less, experience more.  All-Natural, no-trans fats.  Suggested retail price: $3.99. 12 cookies, Net Food Weight. 6.0 oz (170.4 g).

    Chocolate Chip Cookies with vanilla beans and brown sugar-These brown sugar shortbreads are buttery rich, yet light and crisp.  We searched countless options for our favorite chocolate chip cookie and it came down to this: simple, pure, premium ingredients baked with loving care and fun! YAY! All-Natural. no-trans fats. Suggested retail price: $3.99. 12 cookies, Net Food Weight, 6.0 oz (170.4 g).

    Dancing Deer Baking Co. is a company of people who are passionate about food, nature, aesthetics and community. Known for our yummy, all-natural, fresh-baked, kosher, shipped-to-order goodies we bake with lots of flavor and love. The Deers believe that when people are happy, it shows in the food. Widely recognized for our distinctive products and packaging as well as innovative business practices, weÌre a woman-owned enterprise located in BostonÌs inner city. All employees are stakeholders. Dancing Deer has won many national awards and accolades.

    Products are available through retailers such as Whole Foods Markets, Wild Oats and Williams-Sonoma. We also ship directly to consumers (http://www.dancingdeer.com/ or call 1-888-699-DEER) and offer creative employee/customer retention and corporate programs. Orders in before 2 PM EST ship the next business day.  Dancing Deer partners with the Paul and Phyllis Fireman Foundation, a non-profit venture to end family homelessness, (www.SweetHomeProject.org). Come see what's baking!

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    The Salt of the Earth

    New Members, Renewals and Upcoming Renewals

    The MSFA Welcomes the Following New members:

    Simple Food, Inc.
    11 Center Street, Newburyport, MA  01950
    Contact: Eileen Moriarty
    Tel: 877-838-2061
    Fax: 978-255-8133
    Email: eileen@simplefood.com
    http://www.simplefood.com/
    100% organic and peanut-free soynut butter.

    Mountain Herbal Foods, LLC
    217 Humphrey Street, Marblehead, MA  01945
    Contact: Michael Hoffman and Andy Barnett.
    Tel: 781-639-1192
    Fax: 781-639-4356
    Email: m.hoffman@mtnherbal.com
    http://www.mtnherbal.com/
    Create and market unique foods, starting
    with Alpine Ice, or frozen dessert,
    for the food sensitive and food aware.

    Nutrition Kitchen, Inc.
    P.O. Box 396, Concord, MA  01742
    Contact: Robert Bergwall
    Tel: 978-369-3247
    Fax: 978-287-4647
    Email:  bob@nutrikitchen.com  
    http://www.nutrikitchen.com/  
    We manufacture and sell 100% organic, wheat & gluten
    free pasta that is high in vegan protein.

    Sterling Food Concepts, Inc.
    P.O. Box 1484, Sterling, MA  01564
    Contact: Lisa Call
    Tel: 978-422-3959
    Email: lbcall@verizon.net
    http://www.sterlingfoodconcepts.com/
    Healthy Beginnings Organic Babyfood.

    Zoe Foods
    35 Highland Circle, Needham, MA  02494
    Contact: Janet Morgenstern
    Tel: 781-453-9000
    Fax: 781-453-9990
    Email: info@zoefoods.com
    http://www.zoefoods.com/
    Zoe's Cereals and Nutrition Bars

    Jango Inc.
    10 Country Corners Road, Wayland, MA  01778
    Contact: Alexandra Masand
    Tel: 508-358-2077
    Email: info@jangokits.com
    http://www.jangokits.com/
    Kits for cooking vegetarian ethnic dishes.

    Golden Star Natural Foods
    307 Lexington Street, Auburndale, MA  02466
    Contact: Drew Blanckenberg
    Tel: 508-958-8373
    Email: gsnfoods@yahoo.com
    http://www.gsnfoods.org/
    Produce and import premium gourmet products.

    Wild Blue Yonder Foods
    P.O. Box 1210, Marblehead, MA  01845
    Contact: Debbie Waugh
    Tel: 978-532-3400
    Fax: 978-532-1770
    Email: wbycrunch@aol.com

    Chappaqua Crunch Granolas
    Ruth LovettSmith
    237 Brigham Street, Marlborouth, MA  01752
    Contact: Ruth LovettSmith
    Tel: 508-485-7330
    Email: rlovettsmith@yahoo.com
    Wheat based allergen free cookies,
    crackers, baking mixes, etc.

    Chili Choice Products
    170 1/2 Granite St., #4, Rockport, MA  01966
    Contact: Debra Davis
    Tel: 978-546-0038
    Email: info@chilichoice.com
    Green Chili Con Queso Dip,
    Green Chili Sauce for Burritos,
    tacos enchiladas, etc., Green Chili Salsa.

    Hedgie's Hot Stuff
    147 Mountain View Dr., Belchertown, MA  01007
    Contact: Steve Nelson
    Tel: 413-219-3047
    Email: stevenelson@hedgieshotstuff.com
    http://www.hedgieshotstuff.com/  
    3 varities of Habanero salsa: hot, medium and mild.
    Other products will follow: BBQ Sauces, Hot Sauce,
    BBQ Rubs, Marinades.

    Wright Design
    898 Main St., Acton, MA  01720
    Contact: Chuck Casto
    Tel: 978-635-9997
    Fax: 978-635-9998
    Email: c.casto@wwrightds.com
    http://www.wrightds.com/
    Graphic and Structural Design for
    Food Packaging, Collateral/P.O.S. Design,
    Public Relations/Issues Management,
    Marketing Strategy.

    Renewals

    Newland Farm, Inc.

    To 12/06

    The Beancake Company

    To 1/07

    Asian Creations by Lihn & Loann

    To 8/06

    Bohoy Design

    To 2/07

    Pemberton Farms

    To 2/07

    Great Hill Dairy

    To 2/07

    SMH Fine Foods, Inc.

    To 1/07

    Foodlogics Consulting

    To 2/07

    Spice Genie

    To 2/07

    Cayman Islands Dept. of Tourism

    To 2/07

    Regenie's All Natural Snacks

    To 2/07

    Bernadette Baking Corp.

    To 2/07

    Western MA Food Processing Center

    To 1/07

    Spasso Foods

    To 2/07

    Carolyn's Gourmet

    To 2/07

    Jango, Inc.

    To 2/07

    Barrett Distribution Centers

    To 2/07

    Notting Hall

    To 2/07

    Upcoming Renewals

    Please mail your renewal check made out to MSFA to MSFA, C/O Carol Coutrier, P.O. Box 34, Groton, MA  01450  $150. Producer members, $250. Associate Members.  Thank you.

    MAY

    Cape Cod Chowder

    Cherrybrook Kitchen

    Luvli Juices

    Ever So Humble Pie

    Natural Products Consulting Institute

    Rosa's Candies

    The Bristol Marketing Group

    JUNE

    Ann's Boston Brownie

    Bill Bennet

    Dancing Deer

    Deborah's Kitchen

    N.E. Cranberry Co.

    Sally's Dog Food

    Smith's Spices

    The Launching Pad & Co.

    Victoria Gourmet

    When Pigs Fly

    JULY

    Tre Noci Crunch

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    Contact Information

    Massachusetts Specialty Foods Association
    C/o Carol Coutrier
    P.O. Box 34
    Groton, MA 01450

    Tel: 800-813-5862
    www.msfa.net

    Mission Statement of the MSFA

    The Massachusetts Specialty Foods Association serves as a resource to and an advocate for the Massachusetts Specialty food industry, to support the commitment to excellence and the entrepreneurial spirit that contributes to the uniqueness and quality of Massachusetts specialty foods.

    The MSFA provides education, networking and peer support, sales and marketing opportunities, publicity and technical assistance for our members and their customers so that member companies may grow and flourish, thereby strengthening and improving the long term viability of the food and farm sector of the Massachusetts economy.

    MSFA Board Members:
    PRESIDENT: Carol Coutrier, The Launching Pad & Co.
    VICE PRESIDENT: Bruce Mills, My Grandma's of New England
    TREASURER: LeAnn Lewis, Dimesworth
    CLERK: Myron Becker, Myron's Fine Foods
    SECRETARY: Ellen Callaway, Callaway Photo

    ~ Larry Berk, Bohoy Design~ Lee Busch, Goodbaker Inc.
    ~ Alison Chateauneuf, Coutts Specialty Foods ~ Herb Heller - W. MA Food Processing Center
    ~ Bonita Oehlke, MA Dept. of Food and Agriculture ~ Mark Sampson, Sampson's Nuts ~
    ~ Deborah Taylor, Deborah's Kitchen ~

    email: ccoutrier@aol.com
    phone: 800-813-5862
    web: https://www.msfa.net

    Massachusetts Specialty Food Association
    c/o Carol Coutrier P.O. Box 34 | Groton | MA | 01450
     

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