Alabama Administrative Code › Title 80 - ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND INDUSTRIES › COMMISSIONER'S OFFICE › Chapter 80-7-1 - RULES FOR CERTIFICATION OF STATE FARMERS MARKETS › Section 80-7-1-.03 - Certification Requirements Of A Certified Farmers Market

Current through Register Vol. 42, No. 9, June 28, 2024
(a) A person or entity may apply to be a
				Certified Farmers Market by completing a Certified Farmers Market Application
				and submitting it to the Authority. The application shall be on a form
				authorized by the Director.
(b)
				Application to become a Certified Farmers Market shall be made by the proposed
				operator(s) of a Certified Farmers Market and shall include a signed agreement
				by the operator(s) to comply with the terms of the Authority's Rules and
				Regulations.
(c) Upon receipt and
				approval of the Certified Farmers Market Application, the Authority shall issue
				a Certified Farmers Market Certificate. The certificate shall identify where
				the market is located and indicate that the marketplace is a Certified Farmers
				Market where agricultural products may be sold or offered for sale.
(d) The governing body of a Certified Farmers
				Market shall promulgate a set of market rules and regulations which specify
				procedural criteria pertaining to the following:
1. Establish the identity of the persons or
				entities that govern the market and the philosophy and purpose of the
				market.
2. Establish the identity
				and duties of the Market Manager.
3. Establish rules for participating in the
				market.
4. Establish who may
				participate in the market and what may be sold at the market. The number of
				non-food vendors may not exceed 30% of the total vendors. Arts and crafts are
				not permitted for sale at the market unless they have received prior approval
				by the Market Steering Committee/Board. Items purchased for resale, as well as
				items made from kits, commercially available plans and items that are
				mechanically mass-produced may not be sold at the market.
5. Establish the process for selecting
				vendors and establishing fees. Establish market space allocation procedures
				including priorities, preferences, and stall fees.
6. Identify all documents and licenses
				required to participate including: proof of insurance, grower's
				permits/certificates and/or business licenses. Attach a copy of all documents
				to the final version of your market's rules.
7. Establish detailed guidelines on issues
				such as market location, day(s) and hours of operation set-up, clean-up,
				selling times, notification for non-attendance, pets, samples, sanitation,
				signage, smoking, food safety and food handling.
8. Establish procedures for rule enforcement,
				including reporting violations, notice, penalties, suspension or removal and
				appeals.
9. Incorporate applicable
				State and Local requirements into your market's rules, with agreement that it
				is vendor's responsibility to comply.
10. The sale of live animals is not allowed
				at the market.
11. Wine is
				prohibited for distribution and/or retailing at farmers markets in the State of
				Alabama. Alcohol, i.e. beer, whisky, etc., is prohibited for sale at farmers
				markets.
12. Establish the method
				by which the vendor agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the market organizer
				from any liability arising from the vendor's participation in the
				market.
13. Establish rules for
				handling and storing different types of foods with guidelines for sampling if
				allowed. It is the responsibility of each vendor to abide by all state and
				federal regulations which govern the production, harvest, preparation,
				preservation, labeling, or safety of products offered for sale at the market.
				All vendors regardless of product must meet the health requirements that
				prevent food borne illnesses. No cooking is permitted within the market area
				without prior approval.