Erie County is in the 'market' for community development and education
EDINBORO — School’s out, but co-founder of Edinboro Market Marti Martz is bringing new energy to educational opportunities in the region.
Edinboro Market is partnering with The Center for Regional Agriculture, Food, and Transformation (CRAFT) at Chatham University to provide opportunities for farmers and food businesses to create value added products, hone their business skills, and learn strategies that can help them thrive.
“There are key pieces to a successful small-scale farm and food-related business besides growing the perfect strawberry or making delicious ice cream,” Martz said. “The folks at CRAFT offer a wide var iety of business courses specifically designed for small farms and beginning food entrepreneurs. We’re excited to work with them over the next two years to customize those courses for small businesses in northwest Pennsylvania.”
The Edinboro Market Open House with CRAFT will occur Thursday from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Edinboro Market, 109 Erie St.
Martz invites those currently involved in a small-scale food or farm business, or contemplating opening one, to stop by the open house to learn more.
Attendees will network with others working in this realm, as well as regional experts and local leadership, all while enjoying a light fare of local appetizers and drinks. This event will give attendees a sneak preview of new opportunities in the expanded Edinboro Market, other CRAFT programming, and resources available through the Appalachian Regional Food Business Center.
“Our work with Edinboro Market is exciting because it gives us the opportunity to create and adapt programming that fits the needs of the farms and food businesses in the northwest Pennsylvania region,” said Nicolette Spudic, director of business support at CRAFT. “Each region’s businesses are unique, so being able to focus on this area and ensure that we’re working towards our goal of helping businesses compete better in the regional food economy is exciting.”
? More information: Contact Martz at (814) 266-2993 or [email protected].