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Subject: Market Farming
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- From: "Bob & Mary Buffo" <buffo AT hit.net>
- To: "market farming digest" <market-farming AT franklin.oit.unc.edu>
- Subject: Market restrictions-HELP!
- Date: Mon, 1 May 2000 09:56:08 -0500
Hello All-
Thanks for the response on the lengths of season
at some of your markets. Wow, some of you have LONG market
seasons.......only 6 months here at the Wichita farmers markets. (We have
two). I need some help with market restrictions, specifically, how are the
rules enforced? Our market is restricted to Kansas grown/made products,
and has been since its beginning. It is not designated as a producer only
market, but that was the intent when formed. The reason it wasn't formed
as producer only, is because some of those involved in the beginning were
selling produce from neighboring farms. It has grown alot and changed a
little over the 10 years, and no longer does every grower know every other
grower. The rules can be hard to enforce, as we have growers who do buy
out of state produce for the other market(s) they attend. Two biggest
concerns for me (I am on the membership/greivance committee) are 1) a couple of
"value-added" items that are being sold as Kansas items. China
Lake Teas (is this a national brand?) and some herb mixes that (we are certain)
are made from out-of-state bulk dried herbs, but mixing/packaging/marketing done
in Ks. by member. Rules state that item must contain Kansas product.
No percentages mentioned-does not mention mixing and packaging counting as
"product". These products were allowed last year by a spine-less
board last year after committee turned it down, and the vendor/board member
threatened lawsuit.(She quit the board after they allowed the product.)
This is a lesson in being strong on compliancy the FIRST time. 2)The
second major concern is the processed/packaged/frozen meat items. The
concern is for our market, and legality of allowing these for sale. I am
studying the archives here, but it seems that not only from state to state, but
from county to county, are the standards quite a bit different. What is
the best way to investigate what our market is held liable for, without setting
off an alarm for the "powers that be" to look for a business to be
shut down? What do YOUR market rules say about meat products? We
have seven vendors that wish to sell beef, pork, chicken, buffalo, and
venison. I have tried some of these products, and they are good, but want
to make sure our market is protected from possibility of a bad situation. Our
rules state that all vendors must comply on their own, with the state laws.
(Baked good and jellies are to be done in a certified kitchen, and labeled
properly, all vendors are to obtain own tax id #, etc.) We do not
"police" this, but the meat situation concerns us against turning a
blind eye. We (the Market) carry liability on products sold at our market
location, and few vendors carry additional insurance. Our market has
upwards of 90 members, and an average of 35-40 stalls each Sat. during
season. It has grown so much in the last two years with part time growers,
bakers, and crafters.( One lady wanted to sell gazing balls, garden clogs, and
water plants. Told her the water plants were OK, but not the other items,
unless made in KS.) Sorry for the long post, and thanks in advance for any
advice or experiences you can give. Feel free to email a personal messege,
as I am not sure how "value-added" this topic may be to others.
By the way, my daughter and I wear denem hats with big sunflowers on them, along
with veggie print vests or blouses, and green aprons for our
"uniform". Overalls aren't too handy for us gals!
Rainy Day Dreamin', Mary
PS Thanks to Ava for the nice response for the
Plant A Row Campaign:)
|
-
Market restrictions-HELP!,
Bob & Mary Buffo, 05/01/2000
- <Possible follow-up(s)>
- Re: Market restrictions-HELP!, Liz Pike, 05/01/2000
- RE: Market restrictions-HELP!, Wiediger, Alison, 05/01/2000
- Re: Market restrictions-HELP!, Patrick Mulkey, 05/01/2000
- Re: Market restrictions-HELP!, delannw, 05/02/2000
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