This workshop covers food safety practices to ensure safe production and handling of your products, from ingredient purchasing to the point of sale. Workshop panelists include Laura Finley, a ServSafe Trainer, and Kristen Revier, owner of Orange Eyed Owl Wild Snacks.

In this workshop, we also release and review AERO’s Food Safety Assessment Tool for Home Producers, a resource to help producers implement best practices in their home kitchens. The Food Safety Assessment Tool for Home Producers incorporates commercial food safety principles (Good Manufacturing Practices and HACCP) and is crafted for cottage food producers and home producers selling at farmers markets under the Local Food Choice Act.

About the panelists:

Laura Finley is the owner of Finley Food & Beverage Consulting, a Montana-based food & beverage consulting agency that offers ServSafe Certified Food Protection Manager Trainings across the northwestern United States. Laura is a former health inspector with over 20 years of experience in the food industry, and currently offers consultation services for new and established food businesses looking for added support.

Kristen Revier, owner of Orange Eyed Owl Wild Snacks in Missoula, MT, creates, bakes, and sells wheat and dairy free spiced nuts, crackers, and cookies, made with love in small batches to guarantee quality and freshness. Prior to starting her small business, Kristen had an extensive career in the food service industry as a baker, chef, kitchen manager, and recipe developer.