Food Works Invites Small-Scale Farmers and Producers to “Growing for a Wholesale Market” Workshop
Date/Time
Date(s) - 10/05/2026
2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Location
Foodworks Leaf Kitchen Space
Categories
Food Works Invites Small-Scale Farmers and Producers to “Growing for a Wholesale
Market” Workshop
Practical 3-hour session in Downtown Carbondale helps growers unlock new revenue streams,
scale farm production, and connect with commercial buyers.
CARBONDALE, IL Food Works is thrilled to invite local small-scale farmers and producers to a
specialized, hands-on workshop, “Growing for a Wholesale Market”.
Designed for producers who feel retail markets are oversaturated or are struggling to move
surplus produce, this session explores the roadmap to building steady commercial partnerships
and scaling operations sustainably.
● Date & Time: Monday, October 5th from 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
● Location: Food Works LEAF Kitchen Space; Downtown Carbondale
106 E Jackson Street, Carbondale, Illinois 62901
● Admission: FREE (Advance registration required as space is limited)
Featuring Industry Pioneer Marty Travis : The workshop features keynote insights
from renowned agricultural producer Marty Travis of Spence Farm and the wholesale food hub
Down at the Farms. Travis brings decades of frontline expertise in farm aggregation, meeting
the strict standards of commercial buyers, and helping independent producers achieve
long-term profitability.
Key Workshop Takeaways:
● Wholesale Fundamentals: Practical guidance on transitioning smoothly from direct
retail sales to dependable commercial buyers.
● LEAF Aggregation Support: Learn of LEAF’s regional initiatives aimed at expanding
food aggregation and opening doors to larger markets on behalf of small suppliers
● Bring your crop plan! Food Works staff wants to work 1:1 with you to discuss how we
can move more of the food you grow!
“Building a resilient local food economy starts with empowering our growers with the tools and
networks they need to thrive.”
Space is strictly limited. Local growers and producers are encouraged to secure their spots
early by registering online at FWSOIL.ORG:
About Food Works: Food Works is dedicated to cultivating a resilient, collaborative, and
prosperous local food economy for southern Illinois. LEAF, a program of Food Works, is an
online farmers market that packs and distributes food to a 6-county area in southern Illinois.