General Information

What is Certified Farmers' Market?

A Certified Farmers' Market (CFM) is where consumers can purchase fresh fruits, vegetables, eggs, nuts, honey, cut flowers and potted plants directly from a California farmer. It is an opportunity for families to meet and shop and actually get to talk to the people who grow their food. Consumers get to choose from many different farm stands and many different crop varieties and decide for themselves which farmer sells the tastiest tomato or peach. The consumer has a choice to compare quality and prices and can feel confident that their food is coming from a safe and secure local agricultural operation.

The number one reason consumers shop at CFM's is quality. Crops at the market may be picked just hours before being on display. Vine and tree ripened products are available with maximum flavor and health benefits. Heirloom varieties and old fashioned favorites are to be expected at the market and give the consumer a chance to taste "a tomato just like Grandma used to grow". Ethnic specialties are commonplace within farmers' markets and give the public access to these specialty crops and cooking recipes.

Farmers benefit from CFM's in a variety of ways as well. They are given an opportunity to market smaller quantities of produce which creates an additional marketing source outside of traditional large volume distribution systems. They can sell field run produce which is not restricted by standard pack and shipping requirements. The markets provide the perfect environment to test new products and value added services. Consumers direct input and their special requests have been responsible for many a new item ending up on a farmers table. You may see several generations from one family working together and it is the CFM's that are helping these small family farms to survive.

Communities also benefit from CFM's. The markets produce a strong, neighborly environment that has customers becoming friends and sharing recipes, children picking out their school lunches and local businesses being exposed to a new consumer base. It gives the urban community a chance to be educated in the agrarian lifestyle and realize how and where our food is produced. The markets bring together people from diverse socio-economic and cultural backgrounds and provide a common meeting place for all.