Farm market questions get some answers

A representative from the Dept. of Agriculture took some pointed questions from council on Dec. 21, but gave clarification on many points raised by the members.

In the Dec. 15 issue of the Advance, it was reported council was very unhappy with a draft document outlining regulations for public farmers markets.

Vic Schwartz, a representative from the Dept. of Agriculture, says the reason these guidelines are coming forward is mainly because the Market Association of Nova Scotia asked them for.

He added they wanted greater clarification on the rules, and added food safety measures in place.

One of the major issues with council was farm market only being able to operate two business days a week.

Schwartz said fresh fruit and vegetables are products that don’t require a permit, and fall into separate category of “low risk”. Those vendors can set up wherever they wish, and are exempt from the two-day rule. The two days a week is for vendors setting up with mid risk items. The Dept. divides items up into three groups.

Things like raw fruits and vegetables, baked goods and most home preserves with a high acid level are considered low risk.

The mid risk is things like raw meats, eggs, and dairy products and fish from licensed facilities.

High risk is not allowed to be sold, and are things like raw milk, low-acid canned goods like tomatoes, carrots and salsas, bottled meats and raw meats from unlicensed facilities.

Fish-mongers who have a mobile permit can set up where they like for more than two days a week, council also heard.

Municipal Clerk Chris MacNeil pointed out the document says anything in a raw state falls under rules, and doesn’t clarify the things that are exempt of two-day rule.

Still, councillors questioned why two days matters to the department and how it affects public safety.

All markets Schwartz was aware of did not operate more than two days with permit requiring products “Even with the rapidly expanding popularity of markets, we’ve only had a request of two days at the most.”

The intent with farm markets is for people to test their product, and if successful bring it to a larger audience and the retail market he said. “In an effort to maintain a balance between entrepreneurial activity and established commercial entities, two days was decided on.”

Schwartz does admit though the number is arbitrarily chosen.

It was also asked why the Dept. needs to see any proposed changes to the Farm Market building. Swartz said its so an official can make suggestions on food sanitation for more fully featured buildings with running water and sewer.

Mayor John Leefe said their hope is the Dept. will create a policy that encourages vendors to gather at a central point, rather than discourage them. “The more impediments we put on people, the more likely we are to see this people at the side of the road, or at the abandoned service station”

Schwartz said at the end of the presentation that if there are any further questions he would be happy to answer them, and all suggestions would be taken back to the Dept. to look over.

The Draft document is still in the consultation stage, and won’t go for approval until next year.

nmoase@theadvance.ca