Certified Farmers' Markets
in Los Angeles County

Public Health Permits and Inspections for Certified Farmers' Market

To open a Certified Farmers' Market in any part of Los Angeles County, you must apply for a Certified Farmers' Market Public Health Permit and be approved to operate by the Specialized Food Services Program.

You will need to provide:

• A completed Public Health Permit/License Application
• Business or individual identity documents, such as a Business License, Seller's Permit, Articles of Incorporation, or California ID (Sole Proprietor), depending on the nature of your business
• A Certified Farmers' Market certificate and the Certified Producer's Certificates (CPC) from the Agricultural Commissioner for all the farmers participating in the market. The Certified Farmers' Market Public Health Permit is not transferrable, and you must renew it annually.

Inspection Requirements

Health and safety inspections at Certified Farmers' Markets ensure that operations comply with Los Angeles County Code Titles 8 and 11, and the California Health and Safety Code. The requirements under these codes protect workers' health and safety and limit the potential for infectious diseases.

During routine inspections, we check for the following:

• Producers and Market are certified by the Los Angeles County Agricultural Commissioner
• Toilets and Hand sinks available and clean (violations must be corrected at once)
• Toilet supplies available
• Vermin infestations (violations must be corrected at once)
• Rodent proofing
• Wastewater discharges (violations must be fixed immediately)
• Sanitation inside premises

Community Event Operating at a Farmer's Market

Community Events Organizer

A Community Event Organizer permit is required for anyone who organizes a community event that operates in conjunction with a Certified Farmers' Market.

Temporary Food Facilities (TFF)

A Temporary Food Facility (TFF) permit is required for anyone that sells or provides food or beverages that are not part of the approved CFM.

A TFF operating in conjunction with a certified farmers' market will need to submit a Temporary Food Facility Application to the Specialized Food Services Program for review and processing.

Visit the Community Event Page for more information on operating a TFF.

Applications and Requirements

Community Event Organizers:

• Community Event Organizer Application
• Community Event Organizer Checklist - an overview of responsibilities of the event organizer

Temporary Food Facilities or Food Vendors:

• Temporary Food Facility Application - for food booths, food carts, and food trucks
• Agreement for Sharing of a Permitted Food Facility - for food booths, food carts, and food trucks

If a Temporary Food Facility (TFF) plans to sell fresh non-pasteurized bottled juice, a HACCP plan is required at the retail food establishment that produces juice.

• HACCP for Juice
• Fact Sheet - HACCP Plan for Bottling Juice at Retail Stores for Off-Site Sales