Farmers Market

The market not only provides a sales outlet for farmers, but can help strengthen a community by stimulating the local economy and creating local entrepreneurial opportunities. Markets can promote food quality by reducing the distance that food travels from farm to consumer. When shipping is less of a concern, produce can be picked when it is full of flavor and tender, then quickly put into the hands of consumers seeking fresh products.

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A row of vendor tents at a farmers market.

Operation

Farmers markets offer a sales outlet for farmers and can help strengthen a community by stimulating the local economy and creating local entrepreneurial opportunities.

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A male vendor serving a strawberry sample to an older woman at a farmers market stand.

Regulations

Food safety is an important issue at farmers markets. Customers expect the food and products they purchase to be grown and handled so that they will be safe to consume. Vendors have a responsibility to grow and handle food using good food safety practices.

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Related Terms

Farmers Market Operation, Famers Market Regulations

Electronic Purchases and SNAP

“SNAP” stands for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, a federal program administered by the United States Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) in collaboration with state agencies of Social Services or Children and Family Services.

Gluten Free Product Claim Guidance

While “gluten-free” is a voluntary claim that manufacturers may choose to use in the labeling of their foods, FDA’s gluten-free food labeling rule specifies what the claim actually means on a food label.