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market-farming - Re: [Market-farming] "Producer's Only" vs non-"Producer's Only" Markets

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Subject: Market Farming

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  • From: "Mr Lucky" <steve AT mrlucky.com>
  • To: "Market Farming" <market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [Market-farming] "Producer's Only" vs non-"Producer's Only" Markets
  • Date: Thu, 6 May 2004 08:20:57 -0700

> California seems to be the only large area of the country with
> uniformly honest farmers markets. I would be interested in hearing
> more: how did that come to pass? are all the California markets
> REALLY honest? how is the policing done?

It varies county by county. In my area, the ag inspector comes out and
inspects the property and comes out to the markets at least twice a year, if
not more. In other counties, the inspector comes out and matches plant for
plant that you've listed on your certificate. I find the more urban the
inspector, the pickier they are and the more rural, they tend to be a little
more forgiving.

You are allowed to sell for other certified growers but your certs need to
be cross referenced and list all items. This is a great gift for smaller
farmers trying to get started and/or with extremely seasonal goods. And it
still protects from backing your truck into a vegetable warehouse.

Certified vendors need to be together and you can't mix a crafter or food
purveyor into the mix. Some markets are pretty specific and others define it
as one side of the aisle. I like this rule because the serious food people
are all together.

It's not perfect but tt seems to work pretty well but it is expensive to
execute. The certs used to be free but now with our fiscal crisis they
charge. My county came to $60 and I haven't hear yet how much it costs to
test my scale. Of course it probably costs much more for the county.

Also, there are several books on farmers markets but Marcie's should be
considered the bible on the subject. Others have great points but hers is
the best all-around book.

Steve Sando
www.ranchogordo.com
New World Specialty Food





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