A Short History

Certified Farmers' Market Association

The Ventura County Certified Farmers' Market Association (VCCFMA) has been in existence since 1985 when a group of local farmers were displaced from their home at the Ventura 101 drive-in. The City of San Buenaventura stepped in and provided sponsorship to create a new market downtown as part of their revitalization efforts. The VCCFMA became a completely self-sustaining operation by 1990 and is formed as a non-profit farmers' cooperative. A Board of Directors and the VCCFMA staff conducts the business of the Association on behalf of all participating farmers and market vendors. Over the years the VCCFMA has collaborated with city revitalization and planning departments, downtown and merchant business associations, chambers of commerce, special event sponsors and other small local businesses.

At this time the VCCFMA is operating four weekly certified farmers' markets. Wednesday mornings in Midtown Ventura, Thursday afternoons in Thousand Oaks, Saturday mornings in Downtown Ventura, and Sunday mornings in Santa Clarita. All four markets are open year round, rain or shine, with the exception of Thousand Oaks, which is closed during the Christmas holiday season. Customer attendance varies between the markets and the atmosphere changes with the different seasons along with the many varieties of products available.

To participate in a VCCFMA market all farmers and producers must raise, catch, gather, grow or otherwise produce the product they sell. Growers of all agricultural items are certified by their county agricultural commissioner by an on-site inspection and specific market permits. All other food producers must have verifiable proof of production, an on-site inspection, meet all county and state health department regulations and carry appropriate licensing. The VCCFMA does not allow commissioned sales, wholesale merchandise or resales of any kind to participate in the certified farmers' markets. These policies insure that the VCCFMA is serving the direct marketing program and providing an environment that the consumer can feel confident in the integrity of the items being presented for sale.