Why Choose a
Certified Farmers' Market?
What is a Certified Farmers' Market?
In a certified market, the farmers who grow the produce sell their fruits and vegetables directly to the public. It is where the agrarian community relates to the urban community.
More specifically, a certified farmers' market is a location approved by the county agricultural commissioner where certified farmers offer for sale only those agricultural products they grow themselves. Certified Farmers Markets provide multiple benefits for small farmers, consumers and the community.
The Benefits
Quality is the number one reason consumers shop at Certified Farmers' Markets--fresh picked, vine and tree ripened quality. Cost savings is also attractive to customers, and often this is possible because the direct sales by farmers to the consumer eliminates the cost of middleman marketing.
For farmers, the certified farmers markets provide an outlet especially suited to moving smaller volumes of produce, thus creating a marketing channel outside of the traditional large volume distribution systems. CFM's also allow farmers to sell tree ripened fruit which is too delicate for the packing and shipping process. It also increases profits for the farmers because of the cost savings.
If you would like to learn more about Certified Farmers' Markets, please visit the California Federation of Farmers' Markets website.
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