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Where can I get a copy of the Farmers’ Market Guidelines and application form?

The guidelines and application form can be downloaded from the left-hand menu on this page. They are also available at your local health unit, from your Farmers’ Market organizer, or at the BC Association of Farmers’ Market website www.bcfarmersmarket.org.

How do I apply to be a vendor at the Farmers’ Market?

Submit an application to your local Environmental Health Officer (EHO). Be sure to include a list of ingredients, a brief description on location and method of preparation, and an example of your product label.

What if I want to sell a food that is on the high-risk list?

You should speak with your local EHO and fill out an application for a free Temporary Food Service Permit – this will allow you to prepare your food in a permitted kitchen and sell it to the public.

Why should high risk foods be prepared in a permitted kitchen?

High risk foods need some special care and consideration.  Depending on the type of food product, proper heating, cooling and refrigeration protocols must be followed.  Home kitchens may lack the necessary equipment and space for these procedures.

Why do some foods get tested for pH and Aw?

Foods with a low (acidic) pH and a limited amount of moisture (Water Activity or  ‘Aw’) will prevent the growth and development of food-borne pathogens (like botulism or salmonella).  In order to make sure the food you are selling has a low enough pH and/or Aw, the EHO may request you have this food tested.

What kinds of foods require pH and AW testing?

Canned products are among the most commonly tested for pH, particularly if less acidic foods.  This is important because the botulism toxin grows well in canned products with no oxygen. The pH of the food should be 4.6 or lower to prevent this deadly toxin from growing.

Baked goods are almost never tested because they are a drier food, or they have a high enough sugar content to hinder pathogen growth and development. 

(Pickles are a good example of food that should be tested for pH levels. In one recent case, pickles with a pH level of more than 4.6 were discovered at a local market; because the testing process was followed, they were removed from the market before any potential exposure to botulism could occur.)

What happens once I receive my Approval Letter from the EHO?

With your approval letter, you are authorized to be a vendor at any Farmers’ Market in the province of BC.  Bring a copy of your letter to each market so the local manager can verify your status.

How often does foodborne illness really occur?

Most cases of foodborne illness go unreported because the ill person usually does not see a doctor, report it to the EHO, or submit a stool specimen.  For every one case that is reported, it is predicted that anywhere from ten to one hundred cases go unreported.  Health Canada also estimates that every year, 11 to 13 million Canadians become ill with foodborne illness. An outbreak in Prince George in 2007 is a prime example of how under-reported food borne illnesses are – EHOs followed up with about 70 people who had fallen ill, but only five of them saw a doctor about it.

Has anyone ever gotten ill from foods sold at a Farmers’ Market?

Yes. We are aware of a few major outbreaks from foods distributed at Farmers’ Markets, including a case where 13 people became ill with e.coli after consuming unpasteurized Gouda cheese from an Edmonton Farmers’ Market in 2003. In 1994, 82 cases of Salmonella were traced back to unpasteurized soft cheese from a Farmers’ Market in Ontario. And in 2000, eight became ill with e.coli after eating fruit samples handed out at a Farmers’ Market in Colorado.

What makes a potluck dinner so different from a public event?

These private events are restricted to a family, or members of an organization or club and their invited guests. Some of the main differences are that generally:

• These events are smaller functions
• People know each other
• They are short in duration
• People assume the food is home-made and not subject to the requirements of permitted food establishments

Are these Farmers’ Market Guidelines only being implemented in Northern BC?

No. These guidelines were developed by BCCDC and the Health Authorities, in cooperation with the BC Association of Farmers’ Markets. The guidelines have been implemented across the province and are followed by all farmers’ markets that belong to the BC Association of Farmers' Markets.

What help can an EHO offer to a Farmers’ Market vendor?

A certain amount of paperwork is necessary to complete the application process and your EHO will assist you with the application.  They will also review the proposed recipes and processes, review labeling, and, when necessary, assist in delivering samples to an accredited lab. The lab will notify you of the sample test results and whether they meet the necessary standards. The EHO will provide you with the required Authorization Letter. 

The EHO is here to work with you to determine the safest way to prepare your foods

Can I give out free samples to the public at the Farmers’ Market?

Yes, but make sure to discuss this with the EHO first to ensure it is done safely.