With a goal to enhance the local food system within Massachusetts and the New England region, the Sustainable Business Network of Massachusetts (SBN) will host its 4th Local Food Trade Show with the Local Specialty Crop Trade Show on March 10, 2015 at Northeastern University, 8:30 am to 1:30 pm. The event will offer one-stop shopping for wholesale buyers seeking to expand their offering of local food, including local specialty crops, value-added products, meat, dairy and seafood. At this event, buyers will have the unique opportunity to meet more than 75 farmers and producers who grow and craft some of New England’s finest foods.
The Local Food Trade Show will feature open floor trading between wholesale buyers and producers of locally grown food as well as expert panel seminars led by local food industry leaders. The workshops are offered in the morning (8:15 am to 9:30 am) and afternoon (11 am to 12:15 pm) and will address best practices and innovative ways of local trading between producers and buyers of local food. Topics include case studies, Food Hubs, sales strategies, marketing, and more.
“Established local small businesses are at the heart of economic stimulation, job creation and community transformation,” said Jean Horstman, CEO of Interise. “Since 2004, it has been our mission to build resilient and sustainable communities, and the SBN’s Local Food Trade Show is a perfect venue to promote this growth. The festival supports small business owners through local opportunities and creates a meaningful impact in their communities—while discovering the unique aromas and flavors of Boston.”
The Sustainable Business Network is a recognized Massachusetts Buy Local Group and through its Boston Local Food Program, is committed to driving local food system transformation, one eater at a time. Through programs and events like the Local Food Trade Show, the annual Boston Local Food Festival, Hyper Local and Local Craft Brewfests, ALLocal Dinners and more, SBN is joining other passionate local food groups across the state, region and nation in making this shift a reality.
The Trade Show exhibit booths are free for specialty crop farmers and $100.00 for other vendors. Admission for buyers and attendees is $25.00. The deadline to register has passed. For more information, contact SBN at 617-395-0250.
The SBN Local Food Trade Show is sponsored by the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources, Interise, Northeastern University, Boston Organics, Costa Fruit and Produce, Edible Boston Magazine, the Urban Farming Institute, Zipcar and CropCircle Kitchen. Partners for this event include Boston Food and Farm, Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture Farm to Institution New England (FINE) Food Solutions New England, Health Care Without Harm, New Entry Sustainable Farming Project, and the Northwest Atlantic Marine Alliance.
