PARIS – The Western Mountains Alliance, in partnership with Fare Share Co-op and the Norway Farmers Market, will sponsor a workshop for interested farmers, producers and community members from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 19, at Western Maine University & Community College Center, 232 Main St. Snow date is March 26.

The workshop is open to any farmer or producer interested in supplying Fare Share Local on Line or using online marketing tools, and to any community member interested in joining Local on Line or starting their own online buying club.

Staff and volunteers from Fare Share Co-op will facilitate the workshop which will introduce the concept of local food buying clubs, and explain how Fare Share Local on Line will be structured, including the process for selling to Fare Share through the online program. Tricia Cook of Western Mountains Alliance will conduct a training in Harvest to Market, the online software which will be used by Fare Share Local on Line.

Farmers and producers will gain a working understanding of how to use the software to list and sell products. Tricia Cook of Western Mountains Alliance says, “We encourage farmers to bring their farm story and list of products to the training.” Some participants may leave the workshop with a producer page and product listing already uploaded to the Fare Share Local on Line website.

Fare Share Co-op has been in existence for more than 35 years. The co-op is currently owned by more than 250 Oxford Hills families, and also operates a retail store on Main Street in downtown Norway. Local (25 mile radius) and Maine products account for more than 20 percent of Fare Share sales.

Fare Share’s General Manager, Claire Gelinas, reports that in addition to Fare Share Local on Line, which has an April launch date, the co-op’s board of directors recently voted to create a fund for Fare Share Food Access, a program to make lower prices available to members of the local community living on lowered incomes.

Nutritious snacks will be provided at the workshop. Space is limited, and preference will be given to farmers committed to supplying Fare Share Local on Line. Farmers and producers who participate in local farmers’ markets are especially encouraged to attend. Contact Claire Gelinas at Fare Share Co-op at 743-9044 or [email protected] to save a spot.