Supporting All Agriculture in Lake County
LakeCountyFarmersFinest.org
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What is a Certified Farmers' Market?
Until 1977, regulations required farmers to properly pack, size, and label their fresh fruits, nuts, and vegetables in standard containers to transport and sell in markets anywhere other than the farm site.
Then Certified farmers markets, by Department regulations, exempted farmers from packing, sizing, and labeling requirements.
The Direct marketing of agricultural products through CFM's benefits the agricultural community and consumers. CFM's provide a flexible marketing alternative without disrupting other produce marketing systems. The high quality and fresh produce brought to the CFM's by its' producers creates a diverse marketplace and also provides the consumer with opportunities to meet the farmer and learn how their food supply is produced.
CFM's provide a great opportunity for small farmers to market their products without the added expenses of commercial preparation. This increases their net income and makes it possible for them to stay in business.
Certified Farmers Markets are an important part of local food production. They allow small producers to directly market their food to consumers while assuring the purchaser that the food is produced and maintained to an enforced standard.
*CFM's are regulated by the State and certified by the local AG department.
*A Certified Farmers' Market does not imply that the farmers are certified organic, only that the producers have certified they grow what they sell.
*To use the label 'Organic', a producer has to be registered with the AG Department and may sell only a limited amount.
*To use the label 'Certified Organic', a producer has to be registered with the AG Department and obtain a third party certification.