Sonoma County Certified Farmers Market Group                                                                          APPLICATION INFORMATION

Procedure to become an approved vendor:

1. Go to www.thesantarosafarmersmarket.com and read the Santa Rosa Farmers Market Rules.

2. Fill out application online, submit with $25.00 application fee along with photocopies of appropriate permits and licenses or mail to:

Santa Rosa Certified Farmers Market

P.O. Box 3148 Santa Rosa, CA 95402 707 596-8553

3. When received, your complete application will be submitted to the Sonoma County Certified Farmers Market Group Board for review.

4. You will be contacted by the Market Manager if the application is approved and steps to move forward to participate in the market.

RESERVATIONS:

Advance stall space reservations are required for all Markets. If a vendor reserves a space and fails to either cancel at least 24 hours previous or appear to do business on the Market Day, a fine equivalent to the minimum stall fee shall be assessed to the vendor.

GENERAL MARKET INFORMATION:

HOURS AND LOCATION:

SROCFM Saturday: 50 Mark West Springs Rd. Santa Rosa, CA. 95403        8:30am - 1pm        Open year-round, rain or shine.

SROCFM Wednesday 50 Mark West Springs Rd. Santa Rosa, CA. 95403 8:30am - 1pm Open March -Dec. rain or shine.

Cloverdale Certified Farmers Market Sunday 122 N Cloverdale Blvd. Cloverdale, CA 95425  9:30am-1pm April - Nov. Seasonal Market: Guerneville FM June-August, Thursday 3pm-7pm 16290 5th St.Guerneville, Ca.95446 Seasonal Market: WIC Satellite: July & August, Thursday 9am-12 noon. 1450 Guerneville Rd. SR 95404

APPROPRIATE LICENSES AND PERMITS:

Agricultural Vendors –

-Certified Producer's Certificate (County Ag)

-Non-Certified Agricultural Producers (County Health Dept. and County Ag)

-Avocado Inspection Certification/Avocado Inspection Permit (County Ag)

-Nursery Stock License (State CDFA Ag)

-Organic: Registration and/or Certification

-Cut Flowers/Gourds and other non-edible Ag Products: Vendors Permit

-Wine: Alcoholic Beverage Control

Non-Agricultural Vendors

-Ocean Fish: Fish and Game Licenses, Boat Registration, Commercial Permits, Dock Landing Receipts

-Prepared Foods: County Department of Health Permit

-Crafts: State Board of Equalization Vendors Permit

Edited 01/09/25

LOCAL LICENSING AGENTS:

Sonoma Co. Ag Commissioner 133 Aviation Boulevard, Suite 110 Santa Rosa, CA 95403

Sonoma Co. Dept. of Health City of Santa Rosa 625 5th Street, Santa Rosa CA. 95404

(707) 565 6542

State Board of Equalization

50 D Street, Room 230 Santa Rosa, CA 95404

California Dept. of Fish & Game Bay Delta Region 7329 Silverado Trail Napa, CA 94558

Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control

50 D Street, Room 130 Santa Rosa, C A 95404

edited 01/09/25

SONOMA COUNTY CERTIFIED FARMERS MARKET GROUP RULES AND REGULATIONS

1. GENERAL MARKET INFORMATION Section A - NATURE OF THE MARKET:

The Sonoma County Certified Farmers Market Group  ("Markets") are diversified Markets offering agricultural (both certifiable and non-certifiable) and non-agricultural goods for sale.

All of our markets are Certified Farmers Markets and are operated in accordance with regulations established in the California Code of Regulations, Title 3, section 1392 et seq. on Direct Marketing. See also Cal. Food & Ag. Code §§ 47000 et seq. and http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/is/fveqc/cfmprogram.htm. The Markets are certified by the County Agricultural Commissioner as a direct marketing outlet for producers of certified and non-certified agricultural products. These producers may sell their agricultural products directly to consumers without meeting the usual size, standard pack and container requirements for such products except in the case of eggs and pre-packaged items.

However, all produce must meet minimum

quality standards.

The non-agricultural goods add variety and enhance the festive ambiance of the Markets. The same producer-to-consumer philosophy applies for all items sold at the Markets, including non-agricultural items. The resale of all products is prohibited except as provided in these Rules; Sections C-5, E, and G-3.

Section B - MANAGEMENT:

All of our markets are managed, operated and controlled by the Sonoma County Certified Farmers Market Group,  ("SCCFMG") and is operated under the authority of an ordinance adopted by the County of Sonoma. The Board of Directors, market manager, and all other designated agents shall implement and enforce all rules and regulations pertaining to the operation of the Association and the Markets in a fair and equitable manner.

Section C – HOURS AND LOCATION:

SROCFM Saturday: 50 Mark West Springs Rd. Santa Rosa, CA. 95403        8:30am - 1pm        Open year-round, rain or shine.

SROCFM Wednesday 50 Mark West Springs Rd. Santa Rosa, CA. 95403 8:30am - 1pm Open March -Dec. rain or shine

Cloverdale Certified Farmers Market Sunday 122 N Cloverdale Blvd. Cloverdale, CA 95425  9:30am-1pm April - Nov. 

Seasonal Market: Guerneville Certified FM June-August, Thursday 3pm-7pm 16290 5th St. Guerneville, Ca.95446  

Seasonal Market: WIC Satellite: July & August, Thursday 9am-12 noon. 1450 Guerneville Rd. SR 95404

Management reserves the right to cancel the market due to Hazardous Conditions.  

  Section D – CURRENT STALL FEE STRUCTURE: FEES:

Annual Membership Fees

$45 for each member if paid before March 1st

$60 if paid on or after March 1st to April 30th

$45 for each second certificate

$60 if paid on or after March 1st to April 30th

Member Stall Fees:

  Saturday $38 per stall, $5 per second certificate,

Saturday Winter Fee (Jan & Feb) : $28 per stall

Wednesday 10% of sales; minimum $10, $30 max single stall, $50 double stall Saturday prepared food vendors $47 per stall,

Saturday Winter prepared food fee (Jan & Feb): $37

Wednesday & Saturday: California Dept of Food & Agriculture Fee $2

Non Member Stall Fees:

Saturday $41 per stall, $5 per second certificate

Saturday Winter Fee (Jan & Feb) : $41 per stall

Wednesday 10% of sales; minimum $10 max $30 single stall, $50 double stall Saturday prepared food vendors $50 per stall

Saturday Winter prepared food fee (Jan & Feb): $40

Cloverdale Sunday FM $20.00 per stall

Guerneville Farmers Market: $20.00 per stall

California Dept. of Food & Agriculture Fee $2 added to all Market Stall Fees

Members of the Sonoma County Certified Farmers Market Group pay a lower stall fee than non-members. A stall fee will be collected for each space used, even in the case of no sales.

Advance stall space reservations are required for all Markets. If a vendor reserves a space and fails to either cancel at least 24 hours previous or appear to do business on the Market Day, a fine equivalent to the minimum stall fee shall be assessed to the vendor.

11. RULES FOR VENDORS

Section A – Admission of Vendors:

1. To become an approved vendor at the Market, a prospective vendor must read and understand the market rules and must complete an application-to-sell. All items intended for sale shall be listed on the application and only those items approved for sale will be allowed to be sold. The application must be approved prior to the vendor exercising the privilege of selling at the Market.

A completed application packet includes:

1. The completed application-to-sell; and
2. Copies of all appropriate certificates and permits.

2. Stall space allocation shall be based on consideration of the following factors as determined by the market manager with oversight by the SCCFMG Board:

-Membership in the SCCFMG -number of years of selling at the market

-consumer demand

-record of attendance, consistency

-market commodity mix

-compliance with the SCCFMG Rules and Regulations

-local production preferred

3. Vendors do not have to be members of the SCCFMG to sell at the Market. Vendors who are not SCCFMG members may be admitted based on space availability and the discretion of the market manager.

4. The number of approved vendor stall spaces for each category of products shall be set by the manager, with oversight by the SCCFMG Board.

5. All new vendors will be subject to a ninety (90) day “at-will” probationary period. Thereafter, if the market and the vendor are compatible, an agreement may be made to permit the vendor to become an approved vendor for the duration of the market season, with all privileges as outlined in these rules.

Section B – Admission of a Product:

1. Admission of a product shall be based on market commodity mix and consumer demand as determined by the market manager.

2. Admission of product will be based on the present competitive availability (number of vendors) of the producer’s product. If practical, monopolies and surfeits (gluts) should be avoided.

Section C – General Rules for all Vendors:

1. Only approved vendors as defined in each category (as defined in sections D, E, F and G of these Rules) may sell at the Market. A family member or employee may sell for an approved vendor and for second certificate vendor. Employers or employees of approved vendors shall be required to show the Market Manager proof of employee status (current w4 form and/or payroll check stub) upon request. Employees may not receive commissions.

2. Vendors may not sell at another farmers market that occurs on the same day and time as SROCFM, within a seven

(7) mile radius, within the same town.

3. All vendors must complete and submit the SCCFMG annual application to the Market office, as requested, each year, indicating their plans to sell, or continue to sell at the Market, and listing the products they would like to sell (including any new products not previously sold and any deletion of products previously sold).

4. Farm Inspection.

1. All vendors are required to permit the Board of Directors, the Market Manager and/or a market appointed inspector to inspect their facilities, farm and/or certified kitchen.

2. Refusal to permit inspection is grounds for suspension or revocation of the privilege to sell.

3. In the event that an inspection reveals that a farmer is selling product not of their own production, the vendor is subject to immediate, permanent suspension of their privilege to sell according to the discretion of the Board of Directors.

4. A record of the findings shall be sent to other market managers and to the California Department of Agriculture.

5. No peddlers will be permitted at the Markets. Further, resale of products at the Markets is prohibited except as provided except in the case of nonprofit organizations, so long as the resale of items is related to, or in support of, their organization for fundraising purposes. All resale items sold by the nonprofit organizations at the market must be approved by the market manager prior to sale.

6. Vendors shall only display or advertise items that have been approved for sale. Vendors may promote their farm-related activities at their stalls at the discretion and approval of the Manager.

7. All scales must bear current seal from the County Sealer of Weights and Measures.

8. Pre-packaged items sold by weight must be labeled with the net weight and name and address of the vendor.

9. Vendors must post prices. Collusion among vendors to raise prices or any attempt to influence a vendor to increase prices is strictly prohibited.

10. Vendors must display a sign (at least 12" x 24") bearing the producer’s business/farm name, and county of origin. The letters on the sign must be a minimum of 2 inches in height.
11. All required permits and licenses shall be displayed prominently during selling hours. This includes, but is not limited to, the Certified Producers Certificate, Nursery Stock License and Nursery Vendor’s Permit, County Health Permit, and Agriculture License, State Board of Equalization Vendor's Permit.

12. All vendors must comply with Health and Safety Code section 114350(b) as it may be amended from time to time, or any other law regulating food sampling at a certified farmer’s market, and the guidelines listed below. Any fines levied on the Markets by the County Environmental Health Department for incorrect sampling procedures shall be assessed to the vendor responsible for the noncompliance.

5. All foods shall be stored at least six inches off the floor or ground or under any other conditions that are approved.

6. Distribution of food samples is allowed provided that the following sanitary conditions exist:

1. Samples shall be personally distributed only by the vendor to the customer on a one- to-one basis. Customers are not to serve themselves. Any samples observed to be in violation will be removed and discarded. Samples shall be distributed by the producer in a sanitary manner.
2. Samples shall be kept in approved, clean, covered containers.
3. Clean, disposable plastic gloves shall be used when cutting samples.
4. Food intended for sampling shall be washed, or cleaned in another manner, of any soil or other material by potable water in order that it be wholesome and safe for consumption.
5. Potable water shall be available for hand washing and sanitizing as approved by the local enforcement agency.
6. Potentially hazardous food samples shall be maintained at or below 45 degrees Fahrenheit. All other food samples shall be disposed of within two hours after cutting.
7. Utensil and hand washing water shall be disposed of in a facility connected to the public sewer system or in a manner approved by the local enforcement agency.
8. All garbage and rubbish shall be stored and disposed of in an appropriate manner

13. Stall fees are set by the SCCFMG Governing Board. All vendors must pay stall fees according to the current fee schedule. Stall fees are collected by the Market Manager by the end of each market day. Vendors must comply with stall fee payment procedures. A vendor who is delinquent by two (2) weeks on their stall fees will not be allowed to return to the market until all fees are made current and continued participation in the market is subject to review.

14. Stall space assignments:

7. Vendors must accept the stall space assigned by the Market Manager.

8. Market arrival time is no later than 8am Departure times are no earlier than the closing time of the market and no later than one hour after the market closes. All vendors are required to call the market manager in the event that they will not arrive on time. Early departures must be approved by the market manager.

9. Vendors must maintain their stall spaces in a clean and sanitary condition. Each vendor shall remove containers, waste, and trimmings before leaving the Market. Vendors shall not use the City trash bins. Refuse collected must be disposed off-site by vendors.

10. Vendors must provide their own tables.

15. Standards of Conduct:

Vendors who do not comply with these standards of conduct may be subject to discipline as set forth in Chapter III of these rules.

11. Vendors shall be honest and shall conduct themselves at all times in a courteous and business-like manner. Rude, abusive or other disruptive or offensive conduct is not permitted.

12. Conduct by vendors that is materially and seriously prejudicial to the reputation or operation of the Market is not permitted.

13. Vendors experiencing any difficulty with customers or other vendors in this regard should refer the matter promptly to SCCFMG management or a member of the board of directors.

14. No radios or boom boxes may be played during market hours. No loud hawking, shouting or barking to promote products is allowed.

15. All product promotion must occur within the space assigned to the producer and not in any common area.

16. There is no solicitation within the market without approval from the market manager. (Solicitation - to urge (as one's cause) strongly)

17. Vendor's pets are not allowed in the Markets per the CA State Health and Safety Code; this includes no pets in vendor's vehicles.

16. Vendors are responsible for the actions of their representatives, employees or agents.

17. All vendors must comply with all applicable Federal, State and local laws, ordinances and regulations.

18. In the event of dispute between vendors or between a vendor and the market manager, the parties are required to use the market’s grievance procedure which each vendor shall receive with their application packet.

Section D – Rules and Regulations for Vendors of Certifiable Agricultural Products: Fresh Fruits and Vegetables, Shelled Nuts, Shelled Eggs, Honey, Cut Flowers, Nursery Stock

1. Vendors in this category are those who have grown or produced the products they sell on a facility which the vendor controls.

2. All certified agricultural products must be sold in accordance with State Direct Marketing Regulations for Certified Producers (Cal. Code of Regs., Tit. 3, § 13

92.)

3. All vendors of certified agricultural products must obtain a Certified Producer’s Certificate issued by the Agricultural Commissioner from the county in which the produce is grown. All products for sale must be listed on the certificate and an embossed photocopy certificate shall accompany the certified agricultural products during transportation and be posted at the Market. All certificates shall be displayed in full view of customers during each Market.

4. Second Certificates: A certified producer may sell for another certified producer provided that the vendor is also selling his/her own product, he/she displays both growers’ certificates, and he/she notifies Market staff that he/she is selling for another producer. In addition, each certified producer selling at the Market through another producer must:

1. have been granted permission to sell the second certificate products by the Market Manager.

2. agree to pay a separate stall fee through the primary vendor.
3. have a separate display of product, not to be mixed in any way with the primary producer’s product. At least 50% (based on fair Market value) of each primary certificate holder’s produce for sale must be of his/her own production

5. Growing Practices: Signs and labels must clearly identify the products on a vendor's table that are certified organic. Use of any other terms must not be misleading. Farming practices must be fully and truthfully disclosed when customers inquire. Failure to do so will result in disciplinary action, including possible revocation of selling privileges. All produce grown hydroponically or in greenhouses must be so labeled. All agricultural vendors have to display and make visible signage that states they grow or raised what they sell, with city & county identified.

6. Vendors of salad mix shall post a notice indicating that the mix is field harvested and should be rinsed before serving. If the salad mix has been washed in a certified kitchen in accordance with health department regulations, such notice is not needed.

7. Vendors in all categories shall complete a load list on each market day and submit it to the Market Manager, or market representative, before departing from the market.

8. Vendors selling fresh cut flowers or gourds must have a sellers permit. (see definitions for seller's permit)

9. All Vendors selling nursery products must have a nursery permit or license. (see definitions for nursery license or nursery permit)

Section E – Rules and Regulations for Vendors of Non-Certifiable Agricultural Products: Meat and Fish, Aquiculture, Wine, Worms, Dried Fruits and Vegetables, Processed Nuts, Juices, Pickled Fruits & Vegetables, Jams, Olive and other oils.

1. Vendors in this category are those who have grown, bred, raised, or cultivated, the products in fresh or processed form. These vendors may have their products dried, ground, roasted, juiced, smoked or otherwise altered in one stage process by a second party.

2. All vendors of non-certifiable agricultural products must obtain a certified producer’s certificate for the fresh product from which the processed product was derived. The certified producer’s certificate must have been issued by the Agricultural Commissioner from the county where the fresh product was grown or produced. These fresh products must be listed on the certificate and an embossed photocopy certificate shall be posted in full view of customers at the Market.

3. Only those processed agricultural products which a producer can verify are his/her own product will be allowed for sale at the Market

4. All vendors must obtain and display all necessary permits, including health permits and any other applicable permits.

Section F - Rules and Regulations for Vendors of Nonagricultural Products (Prepared Foods and Crafts):

1. Vendors in this category are those who have cooked, canned, baked, preserved or otherwise treated the product they sell, and have not grown, raised, or cultivated the ingredients themselves.

2. All vendors must obtain and display all applicable permits, including a permit from the health department of the county from which the products originate.

3. All processed/prepared foods/food vendors must provide the market with proof of product liability insurance naming the Market as an additional insured.
4. All products within this category shall bear labels including: the name of the product, ingredients, weight, the qualified vendor’s name and address. (see California Uniform Retail Food Facilities Law, Articles 6 and 15, Health and Safety Code, sections 27590 et seq., and 27831 et seq., respectively.)

Rules and Regulations for Vendors of Crafts: These rules apply to all vendors of crafts, including Agricultural Producers who may sell soaps, lotions, scrubs, and salves.

1. Vendors in this category are those who have created, sewn, constructed, or otherwise fashioned from component materials the item(s) they sell. The component materials must be sufficiently modified from their original state to demonstrate fine craftsmanship.

2. Each craft application must include a photocopy of appropriate permits, i.e. vendor’s permit from the State Board of Equalization and Business License if applicable.

3. A rotating stall space assignment schedule may be applied to approve craft vendors and published on the web-site.

Section G - Rules And Regulations For Non-Profit Organizations And Community Information Groups:

1. Non-profit organizations and community information groups (organizations) shall be allowed at the Market whenever space is available. All organizations must set up in the space assigned by the Market Manager.

2. An organization’s request for a space must be made to the Market Manager prior to the Market day. Designated spaces for organizations shall be made available on a first-come, first served basis.

3. Only non-profit and community information organizations may engage in the resale of items related to or in support of their organizations for fundraising purposes. All resale items must be pre-approved by the Market Manager and may not compete with the sales of the SCCFMG vendors.

4. Organization representatives shall not interfere with market operations by aggressively soliciting signatures, donations or attention. Such activities shall not block sidewalks or access to assigned stall spaces.

5. The market retains the right to regulate the time, place and manner of activities relating to displays, signs, posters, placards, and other expressions of the interests represented.

6. Each organization must prominently display its name, and must comply with all applicable market rules.

7. Political and religious activity shall be conducted outside the confines of the market proper, in space designated by the market manager.

2. CONSEQUENCES OF VIOLATION OF RULES; APPEALS

Section A – Consequences of Unsafe Behavior:

6. In the event that a vendor behaves in a manner that is unsafe or endangers other vendors, the manager is authorized to expel the vendor from the market immediately.

7. Within ten (10) days of the expulsion, the market manager shall provide the vendor with a written notice of suspension or termination stating the date, time and place of the board’s hearing on the suspension or termination. Thereafter, the hearing procedures detailed herein shall be followed.

Section B – Rule Violations Procedure:

1. Regardless if the vendor is a member or not, the first time that a vendor engages in behavior that violates market rules, the manager is authorized to warn the vendor verbally, document the incident, and notify the board within three (3) days. A second violation will warrant a written warning from the market manager and the board shall be notified immediately of the incident. If the board views this violation as a serious or egregious violation, the board may initiate additional action at this point, up to and including termination.

2. The secretary shall keep accurate records. In the event that a vendor has been advised in writing on a second occasion that he/she has violated rules, his/her membership and /or selling privileges in the market shall be suspended for a period of time to be determined by the board, or terminated, depending upon the severity of the offense. The vendor shall be notified in writing of this suspension or termination within ten (10) days.

3. In the event that the board suspends or terminates membership and/or selling privileges, the violating vendor has a right to appeal the board’s decision. The appeals protocol is as follows:

1. The vendor shall notify the board, in writing, within ten (10) days of suspension, or termination, of their wish to appeal the board’s decision.

2. It is at the discretion of the board whether a suspended or terminated vendor, who has appealed their suspension or

3. Termination has the ability to return to the market to sell during the appeal process.

4. The board shall set a hearing date within thirty (30) days of receipt of the request for hearing.

5. At the hearing, the vendor shall be entitled to present written and/or oral evidence and argument as to why the privilege to sell should not be suspended or terminated. The board shall also consider the testimony of the market manager or his/her designee as well as written or verbal statements from witnesses. The board may, in its discretion, continue the hearing once to a future date.

6. If the board, after a hearing, determines that the vendor has violated the permit conditions or the market rules and regulations, it may suspend the vendor’s membership and/or selling privilege for a period to be determined by the board or permanently revoke the membership and/or the privilege to sell. The board also has the discretion to place the termination of the vendor in abeyance, remove the terminated member’s membership status, place the vendor on a one (1) year probationary status and allow the vendor to return to the market as a non-member. In the course of the vendor’s probationary status, if the vendor violates the Rules and Regulations again, the vendor’s termination will be removed from abeyance and be reactivated immediately. The vendor may not return to the market to sell without a new and approved application approved by the board.

7. The board shall notify the vendor, in writing, of its decision and the findings of fact supporting the decision within ten (10) days.

f. In the event that the vendor continues to be displeased with the board’s decision, the vendor may notify the board that he/she wishes to submit the dispute or controversy to a neutral arbitrator as provided by California Code of Civil Procedure Section 1298.

4. The vendor’s agreement to the arbitration provision is voluntary: however, by affixing his/her signature to the arbitration agreement that shall be executed between the board and the vendor, the vendor agrees that the vendor will accept any decision rendered by a neutral arbitrator as binding without further legal recourse.

5. Arbitration Procedures:

8. The parties may mutually agree on a neutral third party arbitrator. In the event that the parties cannot agree, the board shall select a third party arbitrator.

b.    Each party shall bear ½ the cost of arbitration.                                                                                                     c. In the event that a vendor and the market are involved in a formal dispute resolution action, the vendor shall not participate in the market until the matter is resolved

Growers can also appeal a market decision to the California Department of Food and Agriculture. For more information on this appeals process: http://weblinks.westlaw.com/result/default.aspx?cite=3CAADCS1392%2E11&db=1000937&findtype=L&

1. DEFINITION OF TERMS

The following definitions apply to the context of the Rules and Regulations unless otherwise specified within a particular category.

Agricultural Producer or Producer: A person or entity who produces agricultural products by the practice of the agricultural arts upon land which the person or entity controls.

Active Participant: One of the approved vendors comprising a member entity. An active participant is an approved vendor who has been designated by the member entity to represent the member entity in the SROCFM and to exercise the rights of membership including, but not limited to, the right to vote, receive all mailings and inspect records.

Approved Vendor: A person whose application to sell has been approved by the SCCFMG Board and who is selling or offering for sale at the Market an approved item or commodity which he/she has: as in Agricultural Grown upon land which the person controls, in the case of fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts in the shell, nursery stock, cut flowers, processed agricultural products.

Bred, raised, cultivated, or collected in the case of animal, poultry, wine, worms, fish, aquiculture, eggs, honey, and bee products; as in Prepared Foods, Cooked, canned, baked, preserved, or otherwise significantly treated, as Created, sewn, constructed, or otherwise fashioned from component materials items.

Certified Agricultural Producer: A producer authorized by the County Agricultural Commissioner to sell directly to consumers at a Certified Farmers Market certified agricultural products produced upon land which the certified producer controls.

Certifiable Agricultural Products: Fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts in the shell, honey, eggs, nursery stock, and cut flowers which have been produced as the result of the practice of the agricultural arts by a producer upon land which the producer controls. These items shall be considered agricultural products only when in the possession of the producer who produced them, the producer’s employees, or the producer’s immediate family or a consumer.

Certified Farmers Market: A location approved by the County Agricultural Commissioner of the county where products may be sold by Agricultural Producers directly to consumers A Certified Farmers Market may be operated by one or more Certified Producers, by a non-profit organization, or by a local government agency.

Certified Farmers Market Certificate: A certificate which authorizes the location wherein products may be sold by Agricultural Producers directly to consumers. Any Certified Farmers Market Certificate shall be considered valid only when bearing original signatures of the issuing Agricultural Commissioner and the authorized representative of the certified farmers market.

Certified Producers Certificate: A certificate which authorizes the transportation to and sale of products at a Certified Farmers Market the certificate shall be issued by the County Agricultural Commissioner on a form approved by the Director and the original kept on file at the county of origin. Photocopies of the original Certified Producer’s Certificates should be considered valid only when bearing an embossment from the issuing Agricultural Commissioner.

Consumer: A person who purchases and receives products at a certified farmers market, but not a person who purchases products for commercial resale unless such products comply with all applicable size, standard pack, containers, and labeling requirements.

SCCFMG:  SONOMA COUNTY CERTIFIED FARMERS MARKET GROUP.

SCCFMG Board: The Board of Directors or other ruling committee of the Sonoma County Certified Farmers Market Group

Sonoma County Certified Farmers Market Group: The entity that controls, manages and operates the markets (SROCFM), (SROCFM-WIC SATILLITE), (CCFM), (GCFM).  

Employee: Except members of the immediate family as defined below a person employed by an approved vendor at a regular salary or hourly wage, either full time or part-time, but not including any persons whose compensation in whole or in part are based on, or consists of a commission on sales.

Entity: A group of two or more approved vendors each of whom is joined by either marital status, partnership, corporate status, family farm status, co-op, joint venture or other legal status.

Family Member: Parents, Children, grandchildren, grandparents, and in addition any other family member regularly residing in the approved vendor’s household.

Land Which the Agricultural Producer Controls: Land which the agricultural producer farms and owns, rents, leases or share crops.

Load List: A form created by the SCCFMG Board of Directors that all vendors shall fill out and return to the management each time vendors sell products on any given market day.

Market: All Farmers Market under Sonoma County Certified Farmers Market Group which are permitted (certified) by the Sonoma County Agricultural Commissioner as a Certified Farmers Market.

Market Manager: A person or persons empowered by the Board to implement Market policies and directives, and to oversee the operation of the Market.

Member: An approved vendor who is accepted into the Sonoma County Certified Farmers Market Group and pays the required annual membership dues as set forth by the SROCFM Governing Board.

Non-Agricultural Products: Goods offered for sale at the Market other than certified agricultural and noncertified agricultural products. These include prepared foods and crafts.

Non-Agricultural Vendor: A person who produces and sells other than agricultural products, such as a prepared foods or crafts vendor.

Non-Certifiable Agricultural Products: Agricultural products that are not certified. This category of products includes but is not limited to: wine, worms, fish, aquaculture, livestock, poultry, dried fruits and vegetables, and processed agricultural products such as nuts, oils, nut butters, jams, pickles and smoked products.

Non-Profit Organization: An organization which has current tax-exempt status under the law of the State of California.

Notice of Proposed Suspension: A document informing a vendor of a proposed rescission, suspension or modification of selling privileges at any market within the Sonoma County Certified Farmers Market Group, and informing a vendor of the time, place and reason for a hearing before the SCCFMG Board regarding such proposed rescission, suspension or modification.

Nursery License: Issued when the amount exceeds the amount set by the state. (Example... if you make over a 1000.00 a year) Nursery Permit: Issued when the vendor sells less than what the state requires. (Example... if you make under 1000.00 a year)

Organizations: For the purpose of Section IV, non-profit and community information groups. Peddlers or Vendors: Persons who sell items they did not produce themselves; a re-vendor.

Prepared Foods Vendor: A person, who through the practice of the culinary arts, produces prepared foods.

Primary Certificate Vendor: A certified agricultural producer who occupies his or her own assigned stall space at the Market.

Seasonal Vendor: A vendor whose normal practice is to sell for a period of less than a full year. For example, a vendor who grows commodities limited to the fall harvest, or a single commodity vendor such as a peach vendor, is a seasonal vendor.

Second Certificate Vendor: An approved certified agricultural producer who sells his or her product at the Market at a primary certificate vendor’s stand in the market.

Seller's permit / Resale license: is a state level document that allows the permit holder to legally engage in the sale of taxable goods.

Vendor: An approved vendor

Year Round Vendor: A vendor whose normal practice is to sell at the Market throughout the calendar year.

These rules have been voted and approved by the SROCFM Board on Dec. 12, 2012.

Edit to rules approved by the SROCFM Board Dec. 2015

Edit to rules approved by SCCFMG Board January 09, 2025