Content by Curtis Braun

A man in a pickup truck picking up a bag of farmers market food at a pickup table being serviced by two women in personal protective gear.

Farmers Markets and COVID-19

Farmers markets are a very important sector in South Dakota. The COVID-19 pandemic has raised a great deal of concern on trying to keep these markets open, while providing a safe environment for consumers to shop. This article is a guide to help farmers markets set up their operation in a manner that will best protect consumers and allow for continuation of operations.

Two workers in protective clothing working in a commercial kitchen.

Food Safety and COVID-19

Many misconceptions have been brought up during the recent COVID-19 pandemic. These concerns have included questions ranging about symptoms, preventive measures, treatment, mortality rate, route of transmission and many more.

Almonds, a tablespoon of oil, and almond butter sitting on a countertop

How to Make a Safe Nut Butter

During the last few years the popularity of plant-based butters has increased considerably. These plant-based nut butters have proven to be good sources of protein, fiber, essential fatty acids and other nutrients and may include soy butter, almond butter, pistachio butter, cashew butter, sesame butter, and so on.

A hand grabbing a loaf of bread from a shelf labeled "gluten-free"

Gluten Free Product Claim Guidance

While “gluten-free” is a voluntary claim that manufacturers may choose to use in the labeling of their foods, FDA’s gluten-free food labeling rule specifies what the claim actually means on a food label.

Vendor selling a variety of food products at a farmer’s market.

Food Safety for South Dakota Farmers Market Vendors: Regulations and Best Practices

Farmers markets are a valuable sales outlet for farmers and food entrepreneurs alike. Learn some essential rules, regulations, and best practices for processing, handling, and selling a variety of common food items at South Dakota farmers markets.

A pair of hands kneading a hydrated dough inside a plastic mixing bowl.

Hydrated Doughs and Batters: How to Safely Handle Food Safety Risks

Making dough and batter is one of the intermediary steps on your way to enjoying great foods, such as scones, cookies, cakes, donuts, pies and more. This article will help you understand the food safety risks associated with food types that have a hydrated batter.

A spoon lifting creamy, white salad dressing from a whit ramekin.

Making a Safe Salad Dressing

Have you ever wondered whether a homemade salad dressing is safe when you’re eating it at your local picnic, potluck dinner, or at a family get together? In this article, we will explore what food safety characteristics need to be addressed to ensure that a salad dressing is made safely.

Rows of bottled juice on display at a farmers market.

Selling Juice in South Dakota

Understanding the regulations for selling juice in the state of South Dakota can be difficult to navigate. This article was developed to address some of the questions around juice at retail as well as selling juice at a Farmer’s Market and to also ensure that seller’s may be well informed to ensure they are selling juice that meets regulatory requirements as well ensuring the product is safe.

Two female vendors serving a young girl and boy at a vendor stall at a farmers market.

Decisions for Farmers Market Setup and Operation

Farmers markets are unique because they represent multiple, individual vendors under a single name, location and organizational identity. Before the first selling day, a farmers market will need to do many of the things that each vendor does for their farm. For example, selecting a name and creating a logo for the market.

A white egg carton against a black background. The carton has read text reading, "Best Before" along with a red seal reading "USDA 'A' Grade".

Selling and Distributing Eggs in South Dakota

If planning to sell eggs in the state of South Dakota, an egg dealer license must be obtained annually. The application for this license can be found and printed from the South Dakota Department of Agriculture’s Form Finder website.