Market Farming

[rosnide3 AT vt.edu]

The real problem with sprouts like alfalfa sprouts is that the seed is often
contaminated with rat droppings. I know in Virginia at least that you have to
have some inspections etc. One of my colleagues sold alfalfa sprouts for 
years.
He got out of the business due to age just before some onerous regulations 
came
out.

Robert

>
> On Mar 12, 2008, at 7:05 AM, Andrew R. King wrote:
>
> > Why is it illegal to sell sprouts or micro greens in any state?
> >
> > Andy King
> > Sunflower King's Farm
> >
> > http://www.sunflowerkingsfarm.com/
> >
> > PA Zone 6
> >
> Probably not illegal to sell them entirely, but may be illegal to sell
> them without a licensed processing setup due to sanitary concerns. The
> growing conditions for sprouts are supposedly highly conducive to also
> growing pathogens, if there were pathogens there to start with. (Check
> your own state regulations, I don't know whether this is state by state
> but my guess is that it might be.)
>
> I don't know enough about it to have an opinion on whether the
> restrictions are justified; I've only grown sprouts for myself,
> cheerfully eat them raw, and never got sick from them. But then, I've
> got a well educated immune system, out there in the live dirt all the
> time.
>
> -- Rivka; Finger Lakes NY, Zone 5 mostly
> Fresh-market organic produce, small scale