Certified Farmers' Market
The Certified Farmers' Market concept is an effort to re-establish the traditional link between farmers and consumers in California. Put simply, certified farmers' markets (CFM's) are venues where genuine farmers sell their crops directly to the public.
More specifically, a CFM is a location approved by the county agricultural commissioner where certified farmers offer for sale only those agricultural products they grow themselves. California Certified Farmers' Markets are operated in accordance with regulations established in 1977 by the California Department of Food and Agriculture. Only a handful of CFM's were in the California direct marketing program back then. Now there are over 400 communities with Certified Farmers Markets in the State, with more than 4,000 California farmers participating, with the numbers growing every year.
In 1979, the Food and Agricultural Code was amended to regulate the operation of Certified Farmers' Markets. Under these regulations all County Agricultural Commissioners are responsible for verifying growers products and issuing certificates. No one is allowed to buy products and resell them at Certified Farmers' Markets. Only California grown products may be sold. A grower with a certificate from any county in California may sell at any Certified Farmers' Market in the state.
Certified Farmers Markets provide multiple benefits for small farmers, consumers and the community.
For farmers, the certified farmers markets provide an outlet especially suited to moving smaller volumes of produce, thus creating a marketing channel outside of the traditional large volume distribution systems. CFM's also allow farmers to sell field run produce not restricted to pack and grade standards. This enables the farmer to sell tree ripened fruit which is too delicate for the packing and shipping process. Also, farmers selling direct to the public eliminates the farmers' packing, labeling, shipping and wholesale handling costs, creating a cost reduction needed to sustain the small acreage farmer. CFM's are instrumental in preserving the diversity of California agriculture by providing marketing outlets for the small acreage growers of heirloom, culinary, ethnic, organic, and other specialty crops not usually grown on a large scale.
Consumer benefits at CFM's are considerable. The number one reason consumers shop at Certified Farmers' Markets is quality. Fresh picked, vine and tree ripened quality produce continues to attract regular patronage at the CFM's in California today. The markets will connect you to the community, the seasons, and farmers. The interaction between customer and farmer, the satisfaction of knowing where your food is coming from, and to eat and cook seasonally is a great benefit of shopping fresh at the farmers' market. This new, exciting concept in food shop-ping gives consumers the opportunity to shop for fresh fruit and vegetables while visiting and supporting the "Downtown" area.
Communities benefit from CFM's in many ways. Certified Farmers Markets are non profit community service organizations which contribute to the social and economic welfare of the town or city they operate in. The markets produce a strong sense of community identity, bringing people from diverse ethnic and other backgrounds together. They also serve to unite the urban and rural segments of the population. This rare meeting of farmers and consumers serves as an educational experience whereby customers learn about their food sources, have access to nutritional information, engage in a multi-cultural experience and become aware of agricultural issues. CFM's truly have become the face and spirit of the communities they serve.
Here are a few ideas to enhance your visit at farmers' markets:
• Use the Market as a place to plan your meal. Go to the Market, and get inspired. Learn to shop and eat "seasonally." Produce harvested and picked vine or tree ripened always taste better and will enhance any meal.
• Talk to the producer. Get invaluable information on even the most common fruits and vegetables.
• Buy a new item every once in a while. Ask the person next to you or the producer to give you some ideas on how to use it. Or trust your intuition and take it home, taste it raw, steam, roast, grill or stir-fry whatever is in season. This is one of the keys to creative cooking.
• Get the kids involved. Give them a few dollars and let them buy whatever produce they want and will eat. It's a great way to make them responsible rather than you for eating fruits and vegetables.
• Take your favorite basket or cloth bag. It's sustainable and environmentally friendly.
• Recycle your plastic bags. After each market, tuck them back into your market basket. Again, it's an environmentally friendly thing to do.
• Use your senses to find the best items. Smell, touch (gently) and taste.
• Bring a friend to the Market. Turn someone else on to the rich satisfaction that can be found through the food and community at the Farmers' Market.
The following information pertains specifically to Urban Village Farmers' Market Association Rules & Regulations. Other association rules & regulations will vary.
Urban Village Farmers' Market Association operates "Certified" Farmers' Markets in accordance with state, county and local law. Where each market location, as well as each agricultural producer, is certified by the county agricultural commissioner, who periodically inspects each market operation to assure compliance with state law regulations. State Direct Marketing regulations require the producers of fresh fruit, nuts, vegetables, flowers, honey, eggs, nursery stock, and plants be certified.
UVFM requires producers to submit a copy of their Producer Certificate issued by the County Agricultural Commissioner stating products sold directly to consumers at Certified Farmers' Markets are indeed produced in California, on the land controlled by the producer.
Additionally, a Resale Enforcement Agreement is signed by each producer prior to participation. Under certain conditions, a certified producer may be granted permission to sell for one other certified producer if the commodity is under-represented in the market.
Weekly monitoring of these posted "Certs" is done by the Market Manager to insure status is current, and a "cert to table" check is also done consistently to insure compliance. Other required documentation supplied to UVFM from producers and food vendors include applicable health permits, food processor's registration, business/nursery licenses, third-party organic certifications, and product liability insurance policies.
Commodity control is monitored by the "rule of thumb" that 10% of the total farmer count should equal the number of a specific commodity allowed in the market. For example, if the total farmer count is 40, then 4 cherry growers are allowed to sell. An exception would apply to specialty items such as fish, eggs, and honey.
Each Market also has a defined "non-certifiable" or "non-ag" section, featuring baked goods and other specialty, processed food items. This area is closely regulated by the County Environmental Health Department. Food vendors must comply to health department regulations such as health permit, signage, preparation/handling, and labeling requirements. Also included in this section could be artisans offering hand crafted items. The same producer-to-consumer philosophy applies for all items sold at the market. The resale of products is prohibited.
What are the requirements and processes by which farmers, food vendors, and artisans participate in markets?
The following information pertains specifically to Urban Village Farmers' Market Association Rules & Regulations. Other association rules & regulations will vary.
Farmers, Food Vendors, and Artisans are encouraged to inquire about the availability of space for their products in the market by submitting a copy of their producer certificate, or for food/art vendors, a list of their products, and a producer application to UVFM. Urban Village management will respond to unsolicited inquiries within one week of receipt. In the event that space is not available at the time, producer certificates and product lists will be kept on file for one year. If space is available, a producer or vendor may be invited to attend the market on a trial basis.
As part of the application process, producers and food vendors will supply the Market with copies of any permits, licenses and documents that are required by state or local regulations for the conduct of their business, and a complete list of the products they are requesting permission to sell.
Who May Sell
Certified Producers, Food Vendors, and Artisans
While the emphasis of the market is on farm products, non-certifiable products add variety and enhance the festive ambiance of the market, and they will be permitted in the market on a limited basis. Although state laws regarding Certified Farmers' Markets do not apply to non-certifiable products, the same producer-to-consumer philosophy applies to all items sold at any Market.
Membership Fee
The annual, voluntary market Membership Fee ($50) entitles the seller to a reduced stall fee. The Annual Membership is from January through December for producers and April through March for artisans and food vendors.
Fee Structure
UVFM charges a flat fee per space.
Peak season fees are from April 1st through November 31st. Off season fees are from December 1st through March 31st.
Fees may be reduced at the Market Manager's discretion on days of inclement weather.
Producer peak season fees are $26.00 (member), $31.00 (non-member) and off season fees are $21.00 (member), $26.00 (non-member).
Food Vendor peak season fees are $35.00 (member), $40.00 (non-member) and off season fees are $30.00 (member), $35.00 (non-member).
Artisan peak season fees are $30.00 (member), $35.00 (non-member) and off season fees are $25.00 (member), $30.00 (non-member).
Approval of Products
All products offered for sale must have the prior approval of the market management.
What May Be Sold
1. Only California-grown produce may be sold in the Certified Farmers' Market.
2. Unless otherwise specifically listed as an additional authorized agricultural, processed agricultural, or nonagricultural product in this section only fresh fruits, nuts, vegetables, shell eggs, apiary products, flowers and nursery stock listed on a producer's certificate may be sold at the market.
3. Aquacultural products (fish and mollusks) raised in California waters controlled by the producers may be admitted for sale within the Certified Farmers' Market area.
4. Additional authorized processed agricultural products which may be admitted for sale within the Certified Farmers' Market are:
a. Dried beans' grains fruits, nuts and vegetables listed on the producer's certificate.
b. Shelled nuts, including those which have been slated, roasted, or flavored.
c. Dried herbs and spices.
d. Fresh juices.
e. Flower arrangements and wreaths.
f. Dairy and meat products.
g. Jams preserves, vinegars, and flavored oils.
All such products must be produced by the producer upon land which the producer farms, owns, rents, leases, or sharecrops.
All processed certifiable agricultural products must have and be accompanied by a verifiable listing of the fresh product on the producer's certificate. Such products must also be clearly labeled with farm name, address, ingredient list and weight. The seller must be able to show location and capability of processing or, if processing is done by a second party, the method used to ensure that the processed product returned is the original product submitted by the seller for processing. Receipts, volume data, and letters verifying methodology may be requested.
5. Additional authorized nonagricultural products which may be sold are:
a. Ocean fish and shellfish.
b. Bakery products.
c. Select food items prepared by the original producer.
d. Pre-approved arts & crafts.
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