Down to Earth Markets to host annual vendors meeting

Down to Earth Markets, a manager of several farmers markets in and around Westchester, will host its annual vendor meeting on March 7.

The meeting, themed “Growing Your Farm or Food Business­­””Financing and Succession Strategies,” will bring together vendors for a discussion on the state of farming and food businesses in the region.

“The local food scene has entered a unique cycle when the old timers are thinking of retirement and a new generation of entrepreneurs is coming up in farming and food businesses,” Down to Earth Markets President Jon Zeltsman said.

Slow Money NYC President Claude Arpels will present on what it takes to grow local food companies from an investor”™s perspective, while Gordon Bennett of Barry”™s Tempeh will discuss his company”™s experience with the Kiva Zip crowdsourcing loan process.

Down to Earth Markets started in 1991 with the Ossining Farmers market. The company now manages 15 farm markets in Westchester County, Rockland County, and New York City.