The Napa County Agricultural Commissioner verifies and registers producers of agricultural products who sell directly to the consumer either at the site of production or at a farmers' market. Anyone who wishes to sell at a farmers' market must obtain a Certified Producers Certificate from the Agricultural Commissioner in the county where the produce was grown.
The purpose of direct marketing is to allow producers of agricultural commodities to sell directly to the public, without having to go through a produce broker. Since 1985, there has been phenomenal growth in the number of farmer's markets in California as the public has enthusiastically supported the opportunity to buy directly from the farmer.
If you wish to sell fruits, nuts, vegetables, eggs, honey or flowers that you produce at a certified farmers' market, you must complete an online applicationform for a Certified Producer's Certificate (CPC) on the California Department of Food and Agriculture's website.
If you have a culinary garden and wish to sell directly to restaurants or members of the public you must be an "Approved Source". The concept is simple: Food that will be used to serve the public must be protected from contamination at all staged of the process, and the approval process allows officials to "trace back" a food product to its source if a health-related problem occurs. A grower or gardener who wants to be an approved source must complete the application with Environmental Management. Find more information about becoming an approved source criteria and application.