Farmers, also known as producers, may sell their commodities directly to the public through Farmers’ Markets, restaurants, schools and institutions, community-supported agriculture (CSA), and agritourism venues. The Agricultural Commissioner, in cooperation with CDFA, inspects and certifies producers and farmers’ markets on a regular basis for the enforcement of the California Direct Marketing Regulations.

• CA Code of Regulations Title3; Division 3; Chapter 1.4; Article 6.5
• CA Food and Agriculture Code Division 17; Chapter 10.5

Certified Producers

Farmers who sell their goods directly to the public are exempted from state packing and labeling requirements, however these farmers must be certified annually by the Agricultural Commissioner and sell their goods at Certified Farmers’ Markets. The Agricultural Commissioner conducts regular inspections of certified producers to verify all growing grounds, ownership of products to eliminate fraud and to maintain standards of quality products.

• Register annually as a Certified Producer
• CDFA Certified Producer Information Sheet

Certified Farmers’ Markets

Certified Farmers’ Markets must register annually through CDFA and pay a $50 fee in order to receive a Certified Farmers’ Market Certificate. Applications to register markets in Monterey County that are submitted to CDFA will be forwarded to the Agricultural Commissioner for verification and certification.

• Map of Certified Farmers Markets

Register Your Farmers’ Market annually

• Submit on-line to CDFA
• Information on Produce Scale Verification

Consumer Information

For general information about the benefits of buying direct and local visit:

• UC Agriculture Issues Center publication “Local and Regional Markets”
• CA Certified Farmers’ Markets homepage
• CAFF’s Buy Fresh/Buy Local Campaign webpage

For more information on our Certified Farmers Markets, please contact Rich Ordonez at ordonezr@co.monterey.ca.us or (831)759-7322.