Question: I think farmers markets are a great idea. However, I’ve noticed many have vendors selling products that have nothing to do with agriculture or farming. At some there is almost a flea market atmosphere. What are the rules from the city regarding products that have nothing to do with farming or food? I think it’s a little unfair to nearby retail businesses that might sell similar products.
Answer: Neither the state nor the city, except for the latter’s People’s Open Markets, has any requirement that only food items can be sold at a “farmers market.”
We’ve also heard complaints about vendors selling repackaged produce, bought from a retailer such as Costco.
The state does not have a requirement that farmers markets sell only locally grown produce, said Janelle Saneishi, spokeswoman for the state Department of Agriculture. The city Department of Parks and Recreation has 15 pages of rules and regulations for the People’s Open Markets, but “we do not have jurisdiction or regulate the parties or organizations who operate other farmers markets,” said Linda Fujihara, assistant administrator with the Parks Maintenance and Recreation Services Division.
What is sold depends on who operates the markets.
For strictly locally grown and produced items, the Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation sponsors five markets on Oahu (see hfbf.org/markets/vendor-info), with the principle goal of supporting agriculture in Hawaii by providing a venue for local farmers to sell their products.
Vendors are required to sell either their own produce and products, or those of another Hawaii farmer, providing proof of origin upon request, said Joy Gold, HFBF’s interim executive director.
“Value-added nonfood products made with locally grown ingredients” are
allowed if approved by market managers, she said. One example is Alii Kula Lavender, whose lotions, soaps and dog shampoo are made with lavender grown on its Maui farm.
With prior approval, vendors also may sell items with their company logo, such as T-shirts, as long as they are not the primary items for sale. All other nonedible products are not allowed.
While the city also has strict rules regarding vendor sales, the purpose of the People’s Open Markets is different: providing fresh agricultural/aquacultural products and other food items at prices usually lower than at retail stores, as well as supporting the development of markets for those products.
When selecting vendors, preference is given to farmers, fishermen or those directly involved in producing the items, with applicants “whose items are derived from purchasing from others may be considered next.”
Items that can be sold are fresh fruits and vegetables, eggs, seafood, plants and flowers, and honey. A vendor may buy an item elsewhere and repackage it for sale if it falls into one of those categories.
“Apples, for instance, are not grown locally, but requested by the customers,” Fujihara said.
Other items may be sold, but only as approved by the parks director. Fujihara said only one such item has ever been approved. Filipino pastry sold by a vendor was grandfathered in after the rules and regulations were adopted.
For a listing of the 25 People’s Open Markets, see www1.honolulu.gov/parks/programs/pom/schedules.htm.
As to what the policies are at other farmers markets, the Agriculture Department has a six-page listing of 61 markets statewide on its website: hawaii.gov/hdoa/add/farmers-market-in-hawaii/farmers-market-listing.
“It has contact numbers for most markets if consumers want to ask about their individual policies,” Saneishi said.
Mahalo
To the two city street sweepers in Enchanted Lake on Tuesday, June 26, for pausing the truck long enough for me to get my garage door down, thus preventing the dust from fouling my wet paint job. — Jane Carlile
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