Certified Farmers Market Program


A Certified Farmers’ Market (CFM), as defined in the CA Health and Safety Code (CALCODE) section 113789, is a retail food facility and requires an Alameda County Department of Environmental Health (ACDEH) permit to operate (CALCODE section 114387). CFM operators and Certified Producers must comply with Direct Marketing laws and regulations set established by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA). Once you have obtained your CFM Certificate from the  California Department of Food and Agriculture, contact our office at  dehmobilefood@acgov.org and submit a service request to permit a new CFM for certified producers (farmers). An inspector will contact you for more information.

A CFM may organize and sponsor a community event.  A community event is a retail food facility defined by CALCODE section 113789 and requires compliance with the ACDEH sponsor permit.  A sponsored community event allows the sale of food via a temporary food facility or an approved mobile food facility.  The application for the sponsor permit is available at the link provided here: Temporary Event Sponsor Application.

To prepare and sell food during a CFM, you must apply for a Temporary Food Facility (booth) permit after the CFM event sponsor has included you on their vendor list: TFF Application. A temporary food facility (TFF) permit holder may store, prepare, cook, assemble, package, and sell food items as allowed by CALCODE.  Food preparation prior to the CFM opening for business must be conducted within a permitted commercial kitchen.  The form found at the link below is required if you are using a commercial kitchen as required: Part D Commissary Agreement for inside and outside Alameda County.

During a CFM, to display and sell food products with no additional preparation at the CFM, the applicant must complete and submit the application found at the link provided here: Mobile Food Facility Application. Check “BOX D” and follow the instructions for “BOX D”.  This annual permit is restricted to display and sales only during CFM’s (CALCODE section 114371).  Some examples of food items that may qualify for the annual permit are cottage food products, dips, dressings, dry goods, oils, meats, fish, cheese, salsa, granola, and baked goods.  Most of these products require a Processed Food Registration (PFR).  You must obtain the PFR prior to applying or renewing for your ACDEH permit: PFR link.



Frequently Asked Questions

To prepare and sell food during a CFM, you must apply for a Temporary Food Facility (booth) permit Temporary Food Facility Permit after the CFM event sponsor has included you on their vendor list. Contact the CFM directly to be added to the vendor list.
Yes. During a CFM, to display and sell food products that will not undergo additional food preparation at the CFM, you must complete and apply using the link provided here. Mobile Food Facility Application Check “BOX D” and follow the instructions for “BOX D”. This annual permit is restricted to display and sales only during the CFM.
Yes. Samples may not undergo any food preparation other than scooping, slicing, dipping, or spreading and may not be foods that require hot holding. You will also need handwash and warewash facilities and overhead protection for sampling.
A TFF must renew the permit every ninety (90) days and must complete the renewal five (5) days prior to the event. A MFF must renew the annual permit each year by paying the permit fee invoice sent by US Mail and submitting the completed MFF application five (5) days prior to the event.
If you work more than one (1) CFM on the same day at the same time, you need one original permit for each location. Photocopied permits are not legal permits.
If you are sampling, you need a handwash station and a warewashing station. See TFF application page 6 for examples of setting up these stations.
No. The permit is only valid during the CFM.
No. The permit is only valid during the CFM.
No. Only the original permit is the valid permit. If you post or show a digital copy only, you are in violation of obtaining a valid permit. Penalties and fees will apply.

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