West Virginia Department of Agriculture

Helps Local Food Producers

Teresa Halloran , West Virginia Department of Agriculture Marketing Specialist – Foods, recently visited McDowell County to present a half-day training on Food Packaging and Labeling for Small and At-Home Businesses. In our area, many people make food products at home, such as jams, jellies, and candies, which are sold privately or at fairs and festivals but are not approved for sale in stores. The purpose of the seminar was to introduce production and labeling methods that would allow sales through retail outlets The seminar was sponsored by Travel Beautiful Appalachia (TBAI) and was held at Starland Heights Community Room.

Ten participants from Welch, Paynesville, Bluefield , Elkhorn , and other communities brought with them samples of homemade chow chow, zucchini jelly, elderberry jam, fudge, and other delicious homemade foods. Along with sampling the food items, participants enjoyed the discussion of cost-saving production techniques and tips for creating attractive labels, as well as the process and state requirements for product approval. Ms. Halloran stressed that most assistance at the state level is free or low cost, a great benefit to small entrepreneurs.

Since then, Ms. Halloran has returned twice to the county to work with individual producers. Two participants – Linda McKinney and Darlene Lee - have obtained their Department of Health Food Handlers Card. One participant – Geneva Manes – has been the first food producer to utilize the newly licensed food production kitchen at Ashland Company Store. Her apple butter is now available for purchase in the store.

Travel Beautiful Appalachia, Inc. (TBAI) is a non-profit organization promoting economic development opportunities to the people of McDowell , Wyoming , and Mercer Counties . Upcoming trainings include the Business Builder class and additional workshops of interest to local entrepreneurs.

For more information on how you can participate in programs of TBAI, call (304) 862-4800 or (304) 862-3364.