Certified Farmers Markets Listening Sessions

1. Certified Farmers MarketsListening Sessions Sacramento-October 27, 2010 Santa Monica-November 1, 2010 Fresno-November 3, 2010 Berkeley-November 8, 2010

2. Overview • History • Program Intent • Responsibilities • Regulations • Funding • Common Misconceptions • Program Challenges • Recent Initiatives • Next Steps

3. History • 1975 Task Force • Cling Peaches sold under Standardization Exemptions • 1978 Regulations Established • 2000 - 2010

4. Program Intent • Promote the Consumption of California-Grown Produce • Promote Access to California-Produced Agricultural Products • Bring the Farmer Face to Face with Consumers • Provide an Alternative Method for Growers to Sell

5. Responsibilities • Producer • Market Manager • County Agricultural Commissioner • CDFA • Advisory Committee

6. Producer Regulations • A Producer may only Sell Ag Products which He/She has Produced • Standardization Exemptions • Buying and Reselling are Prohibited • Only Producer, Family Member, or Employee may Sell Products Listed on Cert • May Sell for Two Others if Cross-Referenced on Certificate

7. Operator Regulations • Ensure Producer’s Certificate is Valid and Posted • Ensure Producer is only Selling Products Listed On Certificate • Ensure Proper Person is Selling • Ensure Second Certificates are Cross-Referenced and Separated • Ensure Producer Selling Non-Certifiable Ag. Products are being done in Accordance with Rules and Regulations • Collect and Maintain an Itemized List of Products Sold from Each Producer (Load List)

8. State Funding • Every Operator of a CFM is Required to Submit a $.60 Cent Fee for Each Certified Producer Certificate and Other Agricultural Producers Participating on Each Market Day • Maximum Currently Authorized by Statute • The Market may Recover Part or All of the Fee from the Producers and Other Agricultural Producers Participating

9. State Funding • FY 2005/06 - $195,558 • Approximately 500 Markets • FY 2009/10 – $229,702 • Approximately 700 Markets • 719 Markets in Operation Today

10. County Funding • The County Agricultural Commissioner May Charge a Certification and Inspection Fee up to $60 Dollars Per Hour • Maximum Currently Authorized by Statute • Less than Full Cost Recovery for Nearly All Counties • County Board of Supervisors Decisions/Constraints

11. Common Misconceptions • What is a Certified Farmers Market • Local • “Small” Farmer • Produce is Organic

12. Program Challenges • Misconceptions/Consumer Education • County Border Limitations • Non Certifiable Agricultural Products • Allowance of Employees and Second Certificates • Supplementing • Funding/Resource Constraints

13. Recent Initiatives • State Staff Conducting Market “Sweeps” • 4 “Quarters” and 12 Months of Data • Cross Training/Utilization • Non Compliance Reports • Proposed Regulations and Amendments

14. Propose Regulations • Clarification of New Law (AB2168) • End User • Restaurants and Chefs • Non-Profits • Further Delineation of the Certified Section of a Market (Operator Application) • Penalty Matrix

15. Next Steps • Listening Sessions • Sacramento – October 27, 2010 • Santa Monica – November 1, 2010 • Fresno – November 3, 2010 • Berkeley – November 8, 2010 • Establishment of “Technical Planning Committee • Report Of Output in First Quarter of 2011

16. Public Comment Period • Speaker Registration • Certified Farmers Markets • Three Minute Limit • May Allow for Additional Comments at the End of Session if Time Permitting • Not an Interactive Q & A Session