Resources

Looking to Break into the Farmers Market Biz?

We're not the ultimate authority on safe food handling procedures, but we know the people who are. We also know a lot of people who in tune with the latest in farmers market trends. We're happy to share what we know -- here's a start.

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• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Coronavirus COVID-19

  • Resuming Business Toolkit

• Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Food Safety During Emergencies

  • Best Practices for Retail Food Stores, Restaurants, and Food Pick-Up/Delivery Services During the COVID-19 Pandemic

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• Charles County Economic Development

  • Farms & Agriculture

  • Starting & Growing Your Business

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• Small Business Development Center, Southern Region (College of Southern Maryland, La Plata)

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• Maryland Department of Health Office of Food Protection

  • Cottage Foods

    • Cottage Food Frequently Asked Questions (02/2020)

    • Frostings and Icings (02/2020)

    • Guidelines for Cottage Food Businesses (Revised 02/2021)

    • Allowable Foods (02/23/2021/Under Revision)

    • Foods Not Allowed (02/23/2021/Under Revision)

    • Cotta​ge Food Business Request form 

    • Cottage Food Business Checklist for Retail Food Sales (Revised 02/2021)

  • Center for Facility and Process Review (includes guidance for all processing (wholesale) operations in the State, including on-farm home processing, shellfish plants, crab meat plants, canneries, food manufacturing plants, frozen food plants, ice manufacturing plants, confectionery plants, food warehouses, soft drink, and water bottling plants) 

    • Processing and Selling Value Added Food Products in Maryland (11/2019)

  • Center for Food Processing

• State of Maryland Farmer's Market Information

• Grow & Fortify Value-Added Agriculture Regulatory Resource Hub 

  • What Do You Need to Know to Get Started?

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• University of Maryland Extension - Maryland Rural Enterprise Development Center

  • Entrepreneurial Coaching

  • Food Processing Specialty Module