News Release Distributed 06/01/15

BATON ROUGE, La. – Louisiana specialty crop producers will have an opportunity to learn the ins and outs of marketing to local groceries, restaurants and other retail outlets during two one-day workshops presented by the LSU AgCenter on June 17 and 18.

MarketReady addresses the important issues associated with selling a product after it’s harvested, said LSU AgCenter agribusiness marketing specialist John Westra. The training is based on best business practices identified by buyers actively seeking local suppliers.

“We’re interested in talking with fruit, vegetable and specialty crop producers, but anyone interested in selling food products locally is invited to attend,” Westra said. “This provides producers another marketing channel in addition to farmers markets.”

The program will include sessions on communication and relationship building with buyers; good business practices, such as invoicing, insurance and delivery; and marketing strategies, such as pricing and packaging.

An additional feature will include a panel of local buyers, including representatives from local groceries and restaurants, Westra said. “Participants will hear what they need to do straight from the horse’s mouth.”

The one-day workshops will be begin at 8:30 a.m. and conclude at 3:30 p.m.

The first two MarketReady workshops will be held June 17 in the Garden Study Center in the Botanical Garden at New Orleans City Park and June 18 at the LSU AgCenter Hammond Research Station, 21549 Old Covington Highway, Hammond.

Additional workshops will be scheduled later this year in other parts of Louisiana, Westra said.

There is no fee, but registration is required by contacting Todd Cooper at 225-578-6312 or by email.

Louisiana MarketReady is funded through a Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry Specialty Crop grant.