How to sell cottage foods at farmers markets safely

With farmers market season just around the corner, it’s essential to plan ahead and ensure you follow safe food handling practices while at the market.

Transport food safely

Before loading your vehicle, clean the interior thoroughly, vacuuming and wiping down surfaces to reduce contamination risks. Place prepackaged foods in clean tubs to protect them during transport and make loading and unloading easier.

Avoid transporting food in a vehicle with loose pets or service animals. If you do bring one along, make sure they are secured in a separate area, away from the food.

Offering food samples

Offering food samples, which must be in portions no larger than 3 ounces, can be a great way to attract customers. To prepare samples on-site, you must set up a proper handwashing station. Some farmers markets may require a handwashing setup even if you’re not prepping food on location, so always check with the market manager.

For more information, follow these instructions on how to provide food samples safely.

Storing food

Avoid storing extra food stock in a hot vehicle, as heat and sun exposure can increase spoilage and raise the risk of foodborne illness.

Always store food off the ground; never place containers directly on pavement or grass. If table space is limited, use clean pallets or crates to elevate your food items.

Packaged vs. unpackaged foods

Certain foods, such as jams and pickles, must be sold prepackaged, as the packaging is an integral part of the preservation process. Since these items are prepackaged, they may be handled with bare hands.

Unpackaged foods like cookies or cupcakes may also be sold, but they must remain covered when not being served. It is essential to use utensils, such as tongs or spatulas, when handling unpackaged items — never use bare hands.

Whether the food is packaged or unpackaged, you must always provide a clear and complete product label for customers to take home.

Signage

To help your customers make informed purchasing decisions, you must display a sign stating, “These products are homemade and not subject to state inspection.”