Direct marketing

The Marin County Certified Farmers' Markets were established to provide fresh agricultural products directly to the consumer. This Department inspects certified growing sites and certified farmers' markets to preserve the integrity of the direct marketing program, including issuing certified producer's certificates to each producer that sells at a market.

A Certified Farmers' Market is an approved site where farmers may sell produce directly to consumers. These markets and the participating growers are approved by the agricultural commissioner's office.  

Growers are prohibited from buying and re-selling produce at Certified Farmers' Markets. In order to sell at a Certified Farmers' Market, a grower must obtain a Certified Producer's Certificate (CPC) from their home county's agricultural commissioner's office.  This certificate must be displayed at the point of sale and must list each commodity offered for sale.

The Marin County Department of Agriculture routinely inspects certified farmers' markets to ensure growers are selling only the items they are authorized to sell.

A certified farmers' market may only be operated by a nonprofit organization, one or more certified producers or by a local government agency. 

1. Fill out an online application on the California Department of Food and Agriculture database: Direct Marketing Program-DMP (ca.gov)
2. Contact your agriculture commissioner’s office to complete the application. Non-profit organizations must submit proof of their non-profit status and producers must submit a copy of their current Certified Producer’s Certificate. A map of market location and market layout must also be submitted. 

To obtain a Certified Producer’s Certificate, follow the following steps:

1. Fill out an online application on the California Department of Food and Agriculture database: Direct Marketing Program-DMP (ca.gov)
2. Contact your agriculture commissioner’s office and arrange for an appointment with an inspector who will come out to verify your production site.