Another Farmers Market question

Patches · #1 05/22/09, 05:12 PM

Sorry to keep bothering everyone, but something I think that is strange just came about. First, there is a new market this year that I was thinking about joining. So I called the market manager to question her about laws/regulations for selling eggs, milk, and baked goods. Her answer was "oh I think you are supposed to have a liscense to sell eggs, but we don't think the hassel is worth $5.00". When I asked about milk, she didn't know. When I asked about baked goods, she said, oh just post the ingredients that are in it and that will be fine. Well, got an application today from them. In the rules, it has a place for me to write driving directions to my farm. Further down it says that they (market managers) have to inspect my farm before I will be approved. Then it says that if I want to sell crafts, that they have to inspect them and ok them before I can sell them. Is This Normal??????????? I have never done a farmers market before, but this sounds crazy to me. Can anyone tell me if this is normal procedure or not. Oh, by the way, I have emailed the state to find out the rules and regulations, maybe they can tell me something. Thanks,

madness · #2 05/22/09, 06:34 PM

We have one market in town that is run by a fairly uppity and picky lady. She will look at your crafts and if she doesn't like them, you don't get to sell. But the market is the best one in town, so it's like a juried market for the craft side.

Inspecting a farm? Not sure about that one...is the market for organic or humane items only? I guess then I could understand.

And definitely find out the state regs. Doesn't matter what the market says is ok, just what the state can fine you for!!! What state are you? You can fill that in on your profile and it appears on your stats so everyone can help you with area specific info in the future.

luvrulz · #3 05/22/09, 06:38 PM

Yes, that is normal. Here in Ky we have home based kitchens and they can and do inspect your frm to make sure you are 'legal' - just a formality but just the same, they do it.

madness · #4 05/22/09, 06:41 PM

Oh, you mean inspecting for value added items. I guess that makes sense. Seems like showing your food license is all you need though.

Stephen in SOKY · #5 05/22/09, 07:20 PM

One of the markets here in Bowling Green is strictly locally grown. They do come and inspect our gardens to insure that produce sold there is in fact locally grown. The other market will let anyone with anything from anywhere in. When you think about, the inspection isn't a big deal compared to the value of only competing with other local producers.

Ladyhen · #6 05/22/09, 07:51 PM

If we are selling handcrafted items, we have to provide a photo of the item being made and a photo of the finished product.

T-Bone 369 · #7 05/22/09, 09:18 PM

One of our markets has a home inspection clause in the contract - including a
$50 "assurance payment" they use if they have to inspect you (refunded at the end of the year if they don't). To the best of my knowledge they have never inspected any one but it is to insure that you are growing what you sell. I suspect that someone would have to complain about you to get them to come out (we can hardly get them to put out the sign boards - stupid city workers). Several of the other local markets have mandatory inspections that they do charge for. All part of the cost of doing buisness.

Murray in ME · #8 05/23/09, 12:23 AM

At both of the markets I attend, we have to have crafts approved and agree to allow inspections.

The reason we decided to have crafts approved is we want to limit crafts to things of an agricultural nature. We did this because we want the focus of our market to be on our agricultural products and not have our market turn into a flea market.

We agree to allow inspections of our operations because our market has rules about the amount of products a member can buy-in to resell. It's actually a state rule (25% bought in products allowed). We've had a few issues in the past where members have bought in almost all of the products they sold. Not only was this against the rules, it isn't fair to the members who work hard to produce the products they sell themselves. We don't actually do regular inspections, it's more a manner to settle disputes between members if necessary. At least that's how we do it. In the 3 years since we created that rule, we haven't actually had to use it yet. Luckily, the threat of getting caught has prevented any issues for us.

mommagoose_99 · #9 05/23/09, 09:12 AM

You should call your local extension agent they will know the State Laws and a phone call is a lot quicker than a letter.
Here in New York State , if you want to be able to collect WIC or Food Stamps , a farm visit is required. They want to make sure you are actually growing veggis and not trucking them in. Even still there are two "Farmers" that truck in at our market. They just drive the inspector around the countryside pointing out other peoples farms as their own.
Good luck with your market. Enjoy yourself.
Linda

Marcia in MT · #10 05/23/09, 09:50 AM

Our county sanitarian handles all food related questions, and issues the licenses necessary to sell food items. Most of the licenses are free -- they just want to make sure everyone is aware of the rules, and to keep track in case any problems crop up.

The state dept. of ag. and the county extension office couldn't answer my egg questions -- I had to ask at the health department (county sanitarian). I would bet that each state, each county, and each market have different rules. It would probably be a good idea to check with everyone just so you can get a complete picture of what's required.

Drew Cutter · #11 05/23/09, 12:32 PM

We have two farmer markets . One is for the less inform customer and other is for people who are educated about what vitamin in each plant ( doesn't serverly restrict you from growing plants that some are not familiar with). In order to protect the vendor from raids from the federal government , the vendor (farmer) has to agree for the customer to see how they raise the product ( really organic or not ).

Patches · #12 05/23/09, 02:40 PM

Thanks everyone, I guess it does make sense, now that I think about it. Sometimes I just feel like I'm not in the click that is really strong in this county and that I am trying to be pushed out. Guess I just took it wrong from the start. They are trying to make sure that everything that is sold is grown my the person selling it, and don't let anyone in who is reselling stuff. That is a good rule, I am just a pretty private person, and I don't like people coming on my place snooping around, and that is what I took it as. Since it isn't unusual, I guess I shouldn't be offended. Thanks all. I did check with my county agent about the rules and he had no idea. Didn't even suggest anyone for me to call, so I tried the email,,,,,,I will see where it goes from here. thanks again

pinemead · #13 05/25/09, 06:50 AM

One of the markets I do will inspect once to be sure I am actually growing what I sell. They don't want someone to buy produce at auction from who knows where and bring it to sell. It's a growers market. In all my markets, crafts don't get inspected, but the type of product has to be run by the market manager first to be sure that there aren't several people selling the same type of thing.

hengal · #14 05/26/09, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patches

Thanks everyone, I guess it does make sense, now that I think about it. Sometimes I just feel like I'm not in the click that is really strong in this county and that I am trying to be pushed out. Guess I just took it wrong from the start. They are trying to make sure that everything that is sold is grown my the person selling it, and don't let anyone in who is reselling stuff. That is a good rule, I am just a pretty private person, and I don't like people coming on my place snooping around, and that is what I took it as. Since it isn't unusual, I guess I shouldn't be offended. Thanks all. I did check with my county agent about the rules and he had no idea. Didn't even suggest anyone for me to call, so I tried the email,,,,,,I will see where it goes from here. thanks again

When you said "county agent" were you speaking of an ag or extension agent? Call your county health department and talk to the people who handle farmers' markets. They should be able to tell you rules and regs in a heartbeat. Both of these inspections are normal, as others have said. In our market I too inspect any "crafts" people ask to sell. They must be handmade/handcrafted only. I do this because I don't (and nor do the vendors) want it looking like a flea market where you turn everything over and it says "made in China".
Good luck at your market!