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Working with Local Farmers: A Guide for Food Businesses & Community Members

  • The Commissary 250 East Main Street Rochester, NY 14604 United States (map)

About the Workshop

March 3rd, 2026, 5:30 - 7 PM @ The Commissary

This free evening workshop will explore how food businesses and community members can successfully partner with local farmers, and why those partnerships matter.

Featuring Growing Family Farms, a women-operated certified organic farm, and Rebecca Dudley of CRUST Pie Co., a Commissary alum and South Wedge brick-and-mortar owner, this session will offer both the farmer and food entrepreneur perspective. Together, they will share real-world insights on sourcing locally, building strong farm relationships, and turning high-quality seasonal ingredients into a business advantage.

Participants will learn:

  • Best practices for working directly with farmers

  • What is in season throughout the summer and early fall and how to adapt seasonal ingredients to different cuisines and menus

  • How to price strategically when working with local farmers and communicate that value to customers through storytelling and marketing

  • An inside look at Growing Family Farms’ farming practices and distribution model

This workshop is designed for food business owners looking to strengthen their supply chain, differentiate their offerings, and invest in a more resilient local food economy.

This is a free workshop. Commissary members and community members are welcome to attend. RSVP below!