The State Warehouse System provides storage facilities for the state's farmers for their cotton and grain crops. Some 36 warehouses are licensed and bonded providing a total capacity of over 295,000 bales of cotton and 11 million bushels of grain. Periodic inspections and audits ensure the safe keeping of the commodities. Negotiable warehouse receipts that are fully insured and protected by surety bonds and an indemnity fund are provided for the stored commodities which guarantee delivery of the commodity to its lawful owner. Bonded Dealers and Handlers of Agricultural Products The Dealers and Handlers of Agricultural Products Law ensures prompt and full payment to the state's farmers for their products from the buyers thereof through licensing and bonding requirements.
Additional protection is afforded grain producers by an indemnity fund.
There are approximately 200 licensed dealers. Of these, approximately 100 purchase or handle grain. The Public Weighmaster Law ensures the accuracy of weights and other measurements taken of commodities being purchased or sold in bulk by licensing those individuals providing this function. Currently there are approximately 3,600 licensed Public Weighmasters and Deputy Weighmasters. Food and Cosmetics South Carolina Code Food sanitation inspections are made at school lunch program warehouses, institutional warehouses, commercial warehouses, food salvage operations, processing plants and flea markets.