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The Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service Farm go home early (2 pm) to do farm work or chores, and then
<br /> Labor Task Force has several publications that can serve prepare another day's produce for sale at this market or
<br /> as resources on this topic. There is a one page, three -fold another farmers' market.
<br /> brochure, Agricultural Employment Guidelines, plus a Consumers typically do not shop early, and some
<br /> series of fact sheets, including Federal Farm Labor Laws consumers prefer two periods for sales: 7 to 10 am and 3
<br /> (IP -25) and Tax Requirements for Agricultural Employers to 6 pm; some may want noon hour sales if the market is
<br /> (IP-28). All of these materials are available from your local within walking distance of their employment site. With
<br /> county Extension office. these hours for the market, customers can purchase early
<br /> when there is awide selection of the freshest produce, and
<br /> also get produce for the evening meal on their way home.
<br /> Handling Supplies and Equipment The clays and general hours of operation, as wel I as the
<br /> months the market is open, should be widely advertised so
<br /> consumers can be assured of finding produce when they
<br /> Thoughts to Consider come to the market.
<br /> • Inventory all durable supplies and mark for
<br /> identification.
<br /> Some farmers' markets may furnish such items as Items to Sell in a Farmers' Market
<br /> tables, scales, tools, and waste containers to be used at the
<br /> market. Someone must be assigned the responsibility for Thoughts to Consider
<br /> this market property. Disposable supplies (bags, marking • Do sell fresh fruits, vegetables, flowers, shrubs,
<br /> pens, tape, nails, light bulbs, etc.) furnished by the market Christmas trees, plants, honey.
<br /> need to be safeguarded and issued only as needed; records • Consider selling eggs, cheese, prepared coffee, pies
<br /> of issue need to be kept. Careful records of supply and cakes, jams, jellies, craft items.
<br /> disbursements and money collected should be kept in a • Do not sell home canned goods, fresh meat, antiques,
<br /> record designed for tax and other business purposes. or purchased items.
<br /> Health regulations pertain to three categories of items:
<br /> Periods of Operation (1) acceptable items —fresh produce and other raw
<br /> agricultural products sold by the producer. Sanitary
<br /> Thoughts to Consider cleanliness, proper weights and labels, and freedom
<br /> • Operate at least two days each week. from adulteration by agricultural chemicals would be
<br /> • Try to keep some sellers at the market al l day (hours of checked. No sales tax need be charged if sold by the
<br /> operation). original producer.
<br /> • Publicize days and hours of operation. Examples: fresh fruits, vegetables and melons, and
<br /> other raw agricultural products, including Christmas
<br /> The nature of the produce marketed at farmers' markets trees, cider, firewood, flowers, honey, potted plants,
<br /> dictates that, in most cases, the market should be open at shrubs and ornamentals, and vegetable and flower
<br /> least two days each week —once near the beginning and bedding plants.
<br /> once near the end of the week. Typically, smaller local (2) questionable items —items whose sale may be
<br /> markets open on Tuesday and Saturday (and Friday). This technically restricted by State or Federal law, but
<br /> allows Monday for harvesting, as well as catering to those which usually are not the subject of extensive law
<br /> who work outside the home and must process their food enforcement activity because they are unlikely to
<br /> on the weekend. Data indicate thevolume of salesdoubles present an extreme health or safety hazard. Some of
<br /> on Saturday compared to early week days. As the market these "processed or manufactured" items which include
<br /> grows, daily operation may become justified. major components that were purchased may expose
<br /> Consider the local situation when deciding days of the seller to liability for sales tax. Craft items fit intothis
<br /> operation. Is there a day when other activities in town category.
<br /> generate a large crowd, such as the livestock auction? Is Examples: baked breads, pies, cookies, jams, jellies,
<br /> there a day when customers have money and are thus pickles, eggs, and homemade cheese.
<br /> more prone to shop? (3) forbidden items —fresh meat and home canned foods.
<br /> Probably the most troublesome issue for a farmers' Local health departments may have tighter policies
<br /> market is the hours of operation. Producers typically like than either the State or Federal law requires, so a check
<br /> to arrive early (7 am), get the better sales stalls, sell their should be made with the local health department
<br /> 1 produce before it is affected by rising daytime temperatures, before any questionable items are offered for sale.
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