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1. Do I need a Farmers Market Permit if I prepare my non-potentially hazardous baked goods at home?

No, if you bring them to the market already portioned, covered, labeled or wrapped in the way you want to give to the consumer.
Yes, if you bring them to the farmers market and cut/prepare/portion these baked goods into sample size portions to give out to the customers.
If you plan to sample baked goods, it is best for you to portion these food items into individual containers at home and bring to the market ready to hand out. If you plan on doing any preparation at the market cutting, mixing, cooking, etc. you will need to obtain the Farmers Market Permit.

2. Do I need a farmers market permit if I offer whole individual fruits or vegetables to sample as ready-to-eat foods?

Yes. If you are offering individual whole fruits as a ready-to-eat, then you must obtain a farmers market permit. This action requires correct washing of the fruit or vegetable and correct sampling methods must be followed. Example include, but are not limited to: grapes, cherry tomatoes, whole apples, whole strawberries, whole blue berries, whole black berries and whole raspberries. Farmers market permit

3. Do I need a farmers market permit if I sell a non-potentially hazardous food that I prepare at home (fruit jams/jellies or honey) and offer samples by using disposable plastic spoons?

No.

4. Do I need a farmers market permit if I am already permitted as a permanent food establishment that wishes to attend and prepare food at the farmers market?

No. You will however be required to have the same essentials that all other vendors who have obtained the farmers market permit (such as – temporary hand washing station in the immediate area of food preparation, wash/rinse/sanitize capabilities, mechanical hot and/or cold holding, time control policy and documentation if used, and multiple sets of utensils and gloves to properly handle ready-to-eat foods.

If you are a permitted food establishment outside of Greene County, you will need to provide a copy of your current food permit as well as your most recent inspection report. Food establishments outside of Greene County must contact the health department several days in advance to review and ensure the essential requirements can be met.

5. I am a farmers market manager and I’d like to have special guest chefs at our market to highlight the preparation of certain seasonal food items. Do I need a farmers market permit?

Yes. This permit will represent the entire farmers market, and a member of the farmers market management must attend the Farmers Market Food Safety Class (however, that person is not required to be present with the guest chef during the food preparation). It is entirely up to the farmers market management as to whether or not they will require the guest chef to attend the Farmers Market Food Safety Class. However, we strongly encourage the guest chefs to do so, in order to be familiar with the farmers market requirements that may differ from their normal food service setting. Food Safety Classes

6. What is a “non-potentially hazardous food?"

Examples of “non-potentially hazardous foods” that are commonly found at farmers markets include, but are not limited to: dry baked goods, cookies, brownies, breads, trail mixes, granola, dried spice mixes, cake mixes, cookie mixes, popcorn, nuts.

7. What is a “potentially hazardous food?"

Examples of “potentially hazardous foods” that are commonly found at farmers markets include, but are not limited to: cream pies, meringue pies, whoopie pies, pumpkin pies, eggs, meats, cream cheese frostings, cream cheese mixes/dips, cooked vegetables, cooked pastas, cooked couscous, soft/semi-soft cheeses, and foods that must be kept hot or cold to restrict the growth of bacteria.

8. Do I need a farmers market permit if I plan on selling my fruits and vegetables in bulk, whole and uncut?

No.

9. I want to sample my whole and uncut fruits or vegetables at the Market. Do I need a Farmers Market Permit to do that?

No. Whole and uncut fruits and vegetables that are offered to the public in ready-to-eat form must be cleaned prior to offering as a sample. We recommend that the vendor thoroughly clean their fruits or vegetables at home. Furthermore, once these ready-to-eat fruits or vegetables that are clean and ready to eat, they must be offered as a sample just like any other food sample at the market (individually portioned and covered).
This only applies to whole uncut fruits or vegetables that you plan to offer as a ready-to-eat sample at the Market. It is understood that the bulk of your produce that you bag up and give to your customer, after they have sampled your whole uncut fruit or vegetable, is not being offered to the customer as ready-to-eat and it is implied that the produce will be washed prior to consumption at their residence.
*****If you wish to cut, slice, peel, or prepare your fruit or vegetable at the Market, then you will be required to attend the Farmers Market Food Safety Class and obtain the Farmers Market Permit.