County to reduce vendor red tape at Farmers' Markets

Although the county amended its Zoning Ordinance in 2008 to expand the areas allowed for a Certified Farmers’ Market in unincorporated San Diego County, an incident with the Farmers’ Market in Alpine indicated a Sheriff’s Department belief that a solicitor’s license is necessary for any vendor who is not authorized as a certified producer by the county’s agricultural commissioner. The licensing requirement is in the process of being reviewed by county staff and other stakeholders.

A 5-0 San Diego County Board of Supervisors vote Oct. 22 directed the county’s Chief Administrative Officer to work with operators of Farmers’ Markets, the San Diego County Farm Bureau, and the Sheriff’s Department to streamline the licensing process for operators of Certified Farmers’ Markets and to return to the supervisors within 90 days with the recommended changes.

“There is an opportunity to amend our existing licensing process,” said Supervisor Dianne Jacob. “I think it will be a good move for all.”

In 2008, the Board of Supervisors allowed a Certified Farmers’ Market to operate on public property (with permission of the public agency) and in commercial zones in unincorporated San Diego County. A Farmers’ Market becomes a Certified Farmers’ Market upon issuance of a certificate from the county’s Department of Agriculture, Weights and Measures. A Certified Farmers’ Market may be indoors or outdoors but is limited to one day a week by the ordinance.

“We know the agriculture economy is booming in this county and it is a major industry,” Jacob said.

Many of the Farmers’ Markets include vendors who are not authorized as a “certified producer”. The Sheriff’s Department has oversight and enforcement over the solicitor’s ordinance, and the current process to license non-certified vendors is time-consuming.

One possibility is that the solicitor’s ordinance may be changed so that managers of Certified Farmers’ Markets are held accountable for non-certified vendors rather than having each non-certified vendor located and licensed.

“We’re looking forward to working with the county on this,” said San Diego County Farm Bureau executive director Eric Larson. “This has not been a problem before, so we don’t see it as a problem.”

The County of San Diego does not require a business license for commercial activities in the unincorporated area; Larson notes that the solicitor’s license is intended for door-to-door or other mobile activities. “We just need to get that interpretation fixed,” Larson said.

“I feel positive about it. I think it’s a good thing,” said Alpine Farmers’ Market manager Diane Haworth.

“Farmers’ Markets are an easy way to get healthy, fresh produce on the table and support local farmers at the same time. If the county can streamline the approval process for Farmers’ Markets, everyone will benefit,” said Supervisor Bill Horn.