2009 Workshop

VAFEP Mission

The purpose of the Virginia Agriculture & Food Entrepreneurship Program (VAFEP) is to support new and existing innovative value-added food processing and food production enterprises and to strengthen agriculture and food economic development opportunities in the Virginia Piedmont region through a series of educational workshops.

The VAFEP presents an excellent strategy for local agriculture and food entrepreneurs to immediately and positively impact the piedmont area economy and regional foodshed by gaining valuable information about important food safety regulations, business planning tools and local food marketing techniques. 

Learning from experts such as local agriculture and food entrepreneurs, professionals at the Virginia Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services, Thomas Jefferson Health District, Virginia Tech, Central Virginia Small Business Development Center and Piedmont Environmental Council will allow new and existing agricultural and food-based business developers to strengthen there knowledge and understanding of these important topics, which will ultimately help generate economic impacts for there businesses and for the local economy.

The direct producer-to-consumer exchange of locally produced food with those who consume it, helps to create local economic development and sustainable community food systems, integrating all members of a community, promoting sustainable agriculture, strengthening our family farms, enhancing socio-economic wellbeing and incubating new generations of farmers. This relationship also connects rural residents with urban dwellers, and unites agricultural lands with non-farming land, in the process, strengthening our communities.

Enhancing our communities through the development of local and regional food systems gives us the ability to strengthen the web that interconnects all aspects and all members of society, thereby creating a more unified community. As a result, we construct an environment that is more economically diverse, environmentally sustainable and socially interconnected.

Regulations, Inspections and Certification

What do I need to do to get inspected?

VDACS Home Processor Inspection Program

Contact VDACS to recieve a home processor application. 804-786-3520

Please see "Home Op Packet with Letter"


Additional Links

 Update Report from NYtimes: USDA to Drop NAIDS, February 5, 2010



OTHER USEFUL LINKS:

Code of Food Regulations

and Acidified Foods

Reimbursment through a Cost Share Fund for Organic Certification/VDACS

VDACS Food Safety and Handling Handbook




TAKE A FOOD SAFETY CERTIFICATION COURSE

 

www.vafep.com Virginia Food Entrepeneurs Program

www.meetthefarmer.com Meet the Farmer

http://www.foodsafety.gov/~acrobat/prodguid.pdf HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points)

http://www.sfc.ucdavis.edu/farmers_market/food_safety.pdf Food Safety at Farmers Markets and Agritourism Venues - UC Small Farm Center

http://www.gaps.cornell.edu/  Cornell University GAP (Good Agricutural Practices) program 

http://www.ext.vt.edu/ Virginia Cooperative extension

http://haccpalliance.org/alliance/haccpmodels.html Generic HACCP Models from USDA/FSIS

www.vdacs.virginia.gov/foodsafety/pdf/fshandbook.pdf  Virginia Department of Agriculture Food Safety Handbook

http://www.nzfsa.govt.nz/science/research-projects/produce-safety/FMA_169_Fresh_Produce_HACCP_Obj_3_Report_Sep_2001.pdf  Generic  HACCP Models for Food Assurance Programmes Implementation Guide (New Zealand)

http://www.fao.org/ag/magazine/GAP-V2-June02.pdf  FAO (Food and Agricutlure Organizations of the United Nations) Good Agriculture Practices Initiative

 

 

 

APPLY FOR A FOOD BUSINESS LICENSE

 

www.vafep.com Virginia Food Entrepeneurs Program

www.meetthefarmer.com Meet the Farmer

www.ehow.com/how_4812914_virginia-business-license.html How to Apply for a Virginia Food Business License

www.bizincorporation.com/licenses/Virginia/Food-Beverage-License.html Virginia Licenses and Permits: Food-Beverage-License

 

 

 

 

COMPLETE STATE AND FEDERAL FORMS AND INSPECTIONS

 

www.vafep.com Virginia Food Entrepenuers Program

www.meetthefarmer.com Meet the Farmer

www.vdacs.virginia.gov/foodsafety/pdf/fshandbook.pdf VDACS (Virginia Department of Agricutlural and Consumer Sciences) Home Processor Inspection Program

www.usda.gov/   USDA

www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceComplianceRegulatoryInformation/RegistrationofFoodFacilities/default.htm  FDA Facility Registrations

www.scc.virginia.gov/  Virginia State Corporation Commission

 

 

 

DETERMINE YOUR BUSINESS RISKS AND OBTAIN INSURANCE

 

www.vafep.com Virginia Food Entrepeneurs Program

www.meetthefarmer.com Meet the Farmer

www.sbdc.com  Small Business Development Center

www.vafairs.com Virginia Foundation for Agriculture Innovation and Rural Security

www.rma.usda.gov/  USDA- Risk Management Agency

www.vfbinsurance.com/   Virginia Farm Bureau -  Insurance for crops, etc.

www.vafb.com/  Virginia Farm Bureau - Home Page





SEE HOW OTHERS DO IT:

Meet the Farmer tv has extensive food based business coverage for Central Virginia;
also shown nationally at Free Speech Television.  Empower yourself with local experience
of farmers, growers, producers, home-based business, local markets, certification programs and more.

Non-Profit Services to Farmers: the Local Food Hub blog to follow for experience, strength and hope

See how others do it also at Flavor Magazine and Piedmont Environmental Council