Food Safety Program: Certified Farmers' Markets

A Certified Farmers' Market (CFM) is a location that must be certified and permitted by the State of California County Agricultural Program and permitted by the local Environmental Health jurisdiction.

 

In San Francisco, the San Francisco Department of Public Health's Agriculture Program is the local enforcement agency for the state Certified Farmers' Market Program. The Agriculture Program permits and regulates Certified Farmers' Markets, and the Health Department Food Safety Program issues four types of permits associated with Certified Farmers' Markets:

 

Types of CFM Permits:

1. Certified Farmers' Market (CFM) Permit

Individuals or associations who apply for a health permit to operate a CFM shall be considered a Market Manager. The Market Manager shall be present and responsible for the operation of the CFM and shall ensure that all food vendors comply with State Health Codes. All Certified Farmers are permitted under the CFM permit. The CFM Application Packet should be completed and signed by the CFM owner(s) and officer(s).

 

2. Retail Food Vendor Permit

Any vendor who sells noncertified agricultural products such as pre-packaged foods that are processed, packaged and labeled from an approved source at a CFM and does not require food preparation onsite shall have an individual permit that is specific to the market that they are applying for. Permits are non-transferable. To be approved, a retail food vendor applicant may be required to obtain a processed food registration (PFR) with the California Department of Public Health. Pursuant to CA Assembly Bill 1144, permitted Cottage Food Operators (CFO) may refer to the RFV Application Checklist for permitting instructions. Information on permitting for CFOs is available for those still needing a permit.

 

Retail Food Vendor Application Packet (pdf)

 

3. Temporary Food Facility Permit

Any vendor who sells foods that must be prepared onsite shall obtain a TFF permit through the market manager. TFFs at a Certified Farmers' Market are permitted every quarter and are non-transferable. Market Managers must complete a Sponsor application and all TFF vendors must complete a TFF Concessionaire Application. Market managers must submit all necessary documents at least 14 days prior to the start of the quarter. TFF applications submitted 7 days prior to the start of the quarter shall be denied and must wait for the following quarter.

TFFs at farmers markets must also obtain a permit to operate under an umbrella Temporary Event Permit for the market. The Farmers' Market Manager is responsible for obtaining the Temporary Event Permit for all TFFs. The Health Department cannot accept applications for the Temp Event Permits from individual TFFs. To help calculate the total fees due, review the Farmers' Market Fee Worksheet.

1. Farmers Market Sponsor Application.
2. Farmers Market Concessionaire Application to be completed by each TFF.

More information on these requirements is available on the Temporary Food Facility webpage.

 

4. Mobile Food Facility Permit

Any vendor who prepares food and operates from a Mobile Food Facility must obtain a permit.

 

Permitting Process

Refer to the Helpful Links for information on all application fees as well as structural and operational requirements. Send all application forms and documents to:

• Environmental Health Branch
• Attn: Food Safety Program
• 49 South Van Ness Ave., Suite 600
• San Francisco, CA 94103

Certified Farmers' Markets

The Food Safety Program will only accept applications for a permit to operate if prior application has been made and accepted by the Agriculture Program.

 

If applying for a permit to operate a CFM on City, State, or Port of San Francisco-owned property, complete and submit the following:

1. A completed CFM Application Packet (pdf), which includes:
   * Application for a Permit to Operate
   * Fire Marshal Referral Form
   * Zoning Referral Form
   * Labor Law Checklist for San Francisco Business Owners
   * Declaration of Healthy and Safe Working Conditions
   
2. Copy of San Francisco Business Registration Certificate
3. Written Approval to Operate at Location Site from Applicable Agency
4. Copy of Department of Food and Agriculture Certificate
5. Application fee*, check or money order made payable to: San Francisco Department of Public Health. *This fee consists of the: DPH Application Fee for Food Permit to Operate + Fire Department Referral Fee. These fees can be found here.
6. Restroom Verification Form
7. A list of certified and noncertified Ag vendors. Vendor list must correspond to the site map.
8. Site map depicting the layout of the market with ALL participating vendors and restroom accessibilitiy
9. San Francisco Zoning Referral Form (for city or state-owned property only).
   

 

Certified Farmers' Market on Private Property, complete and submit the following:

1. A completed CFM Application Packet (pdf), which includes:
   * Application for a Permit to Operate
   * Fire Marshal Referral Form
   * Labor Law Checklist for San Francisco Business Owners
   * Declaration of Healthy and Safe Working Conditions
   
2. Copy of San Francisco Business Registration Certificate
3. Written Approval to Operate at Location Site from Applicable Agency
4. Copy of Department of Food and Agriculture Certificate
5. San Francisco Zoning Referral pages 1 & 2.
6. Application fee*, check or money order made payable to: San Francisco Department of Public Health. *This fee consists of the: DPH Application Fee for Food Permit to Operate + Fire Department Referral Fee + Zoning Referral Fee. These fees can be found here.
7. Restroom Verification Form
8. A list of certified and noncertified Ag vendors. Vendor list must correspond to the site map.
9. Site map depicting the layout of the market with ALL participating vendors and restroom accessibilitiy

Certified Farmers' Market on a Public Street, complete and submit the following:

1. A completed CFM Application Packet (pdf), which includes:
   * Application for a Permit to Operate
   * Fire Marshal Referral Form
   * Labor Law Checklist for San Francisco Business Owners
   * Declaration of Healthy and Safe Working Conditions
   
2. Copy of San Francisco Business Registration Certificate
3. Copy of Department of Food and Agriculture Certificate
4. Obtain Approval from SFMTA, Temporary Street Closures for Special Events, and Division of Sustainable Streets. Contact 415-701-4683.
5. Application fee, check or money order made payable to: San Francisco Department of Public Health. This fee includes DPH Application Fee for Food Permit to Operate and the Fire Department Referral Fee.
6. A list of certified and noncertified Ag vendors. Vendor list must correspond to the site map.
7. Site map depicting the layout of the market with ALL participating vendors and restroom accessibilitiy


CERTIFIED FARMERS' MARKET ON FEDERAL PROPERTY DOES NOT REQUIRE A SAN FRANCISCO DPH PERMIT

 

Retail Food Vendors

To obtain a permit from the Department of Public Health, complete and submit the following:

1. Retail Food Vendor Application Packet (Includes an application for a Permit to Operate and a Declaration of Healthy and Safe Working Conditions.)
2. A copy of the permit of the licensed facility where foods are processed, packaged and labeled (i.e., State of California--Processed Food Registration and the local health permit).
3. Letter from Market Manager granting approval to operate at CFM.
4. A nonrefundable application fee in the form of a check or money order made payable to the San Francisco Department Public Health.
5. Proof of Business Registration with Certificate Number. Apply at the Office of the Treasurer & Tax Collector, City Hall - Room 140.
6. Submit a detailed written sampling procedures if you are providing samples of your product to patrons.