Farmers markets provide a sociable setting for local farmers to sell their food directly to customers. The markets also give customers an opportunity to learn more about their food and discover new produce to try.
The Department of Public Health supports farmers markets by promoting food safety standards and best practices.
How
Farmers market operators must submit a farmers market operator registration form before the beginning of each year. This form should be turned in to the Office of Food Protection.
The form includes three sections:
- Market operator information
- Market information
- Vendor information
The market operator must inform the Office of Food Protection whenever any of this information changes.
The Market Operator Guide advises operators through the process of applying for and managing a farmers market in the City of Philadelphia. It includes explanations of City requirements, tools for market operators, and best practices.
The guide includes:
- Best practices for food safety.
- Food sampling guidelines.
- Cooking demonstration guidelines.
- License requirements by product type and vendor type.
- Location approval.
- General best practices to successfully operate a market.
Operators can use the Farmers Market Planning Tool to determine what type of location approval their market site would need in order to operate.