FAQs on Farmers' Markets | Shelf Life Advice

Farmers’ markets are regulated by  state and local authorities. There  a great many limitations and restrictions concerning what and how foods can be sold. Permits and licenses are often required.   Nevertheless, consumers should be alert to conditions that may indicate too little effort to protect visitors from contamination.

Look around.  You should be able to answer “yes” to all these questions:

1. Are garbage cans covered?

Here’s a handy checklist:

• cash (A check or credit card may not be accepted.)

• comfortable shoes--and an umbrella, too if the clouds look threatening

• something to carry your purchases home in (a mesh bag or, better yet, a large straw basket so produce doesn’t get piled up on top of  other produce)

• your self-restraint (so that you don’t buy more than you can use soon)

• your observational skills (to be on the lookout for unsanitary conditions)