Warning: This product has not been pasteurized and therefore, may contain harmful bacteria that can cause serious illness in children, the elderly, and persons with weakened immune systems. Licensed retailers may produce and sell unpasteurized cider, but the container must be prominently labeled with the FDA-approved warning statement: If the vendor is not the grower of the raw produce used to make the coleslaw base, a food establishment license is required for sales at a farmers market.Ĭan a vendor sell unpasteurized apple cider? Does the product have to be refrigerated?Ī cider maker who sells the product only directly to consumers is considered a retailer. If the farmer owns a licensed processing facility, a separate license is not required to sell the product at a farmers market. If produced at a licensed location, packaged coleslaw base must be labeled in full accordance with current state and federal requirements and held under refrigeration. Therefore coleslaw base cannot typically be prepared at a farmers market, at a temporary event, or at an unlicensed location such as a person's residence. Such a process is permitted only at an approved, licensed location. Once cut, vegetables fall into the category of processed food. Whole, uncut produce is considered raw and unprocessed and can be sold without restriction by a vendor however, coleslaw base involves cutting or shredding the vegetables. Again, no license is required as long as the lettuce leaves remain intact and undamaged when de-stemming.Ī farmer uses cabbage and carrots of his own production to prepare a coleslaw base. Although the consumer is responsible for washing the salad mixture prior to use, MDARD recommends that a sign be placed at the point-of-sale to remind customers that this produce should be washed before eating since it is in a ready-to-eat form. Assorted salad greens can also be packaged in the same bag. However, the lettuce or other greens must be handled safely and protected from contamination. So long as the lettuce leaves remain intact and undamaged when de-stemmed, a license would not be required at the farmer's own packing facility or the farmers market. Since the lettuce leaves are intact and not cut, is a license required and are there any food safety concerns? Although consumers are responsible for washing produce prior to use, MDARD recommends that a sign be placed at the point of sale to remind customers to wash produce before eating.Ī farmer sells a salad mixture of assorted lettuce leaves and other greens from an open box (in bulk). However, fresh fruits and vegetables must be handled safely and protected from contamination. There are no licensing requirements for farmers selling fresh, whole, uncut fruits and vegetables at a farmers market in Michigan. What are the requirements for a farmer selling fresh fruit and/or vegetables at a farmers market? There are several exemptions from licensing based on law and policy. Please see Licensing at Farmers Markets for a list of definitions and exemptions. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions regarding certain types of food sales in a farmers market setting: Market Managers must also be aware of the requirements of Michigan's Food Law as they apply to farmers markets, although responsibility for the enforcement of those requirements falls to the local Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development (MDARD) food inspector.įood vendors and Market Managers may contact MDARD toll-free at 80 if they have questions about the standards for vending foods at any given farmers market in Michigan. It is generally the Market Manager's responsibility to enforce the vendor requirements set by market policy. Across Michigan, farmers markets vary in the types and varieties of foods offered for sale from agricultural producers directly to the consumer. Farmers markets enhance the sense of community and provide a source for locally grown and produced food and agriculture products. Information for Market Managers and Vendorsįarmers markets are a traditional link between local food producers and consumers.
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