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Too Small?
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Paul
Hong displays one of his Le Belle Rouge roosters at his Newberry
Springs farm.
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Southland
Farmers' Market Association
Our
History
For decades, farmers throughout California have been cultivating
their land to grow healthy, fresh products for their families and friends.
As the population grew, cities emerged and large companies joined forces,
farmers were forced to either stay in the industry with tough struggles
or close their family business and relocate.
In the last 30 years, every effort has been made to support direct marketing
of local growers and their products. In 1976, on Governor Jerry Browns
recommendation, the Direct Marketing Code was developed and put into state
regulations by Rose Bird, Californias agriculture director.
By 1980, farmers at the Gardena farmers market discussed the need
for coordination of growers and crops through a central association, thus
came the Southland Farmers Market Association. The first six markets
including Gardena, Pacoima, Pasadena, Villa Park, Long Beach, and Adams
and Vermont were organized through the Interfaith Hunger Coalition Hunger
Organizing Team. As more markets developed in Los Angeles County
throughout the early 80s, their member farmers agreed to join the
Association.
As the burgeoning farmers market movement grew in California,
Southland helped to direct and support farmers, new markets, and promote
and support existing markets.
Today, Southland Farmers Market Association is the largest trade
association of certified farmers markets in California. Founded
in 1983, the Association has grown to represent 22 farmers markets
and more than 400 growers in Southern California.
Southlands Board of Directors is primarily composed of small farmers
who actively participate in the farmers markets. The chief role
of the Association is to safeguard the integrity of the markets by ensuring
that producers only sell what they have grown. Customers are thereby assured
that they are buying fresh fruits and vegetables directly from local California
producers.
There are more than 360 certified farmers markets in California
and the number continues to grow each year. In 2001, the industry accounts
for $250 million in sales. This is all the more remarkable for the fact
that certified farmers markets must be operated as a community service
by a non-profit organization, local public agency or California certified
growers. Southland offers assistance to markets and growers with marketing,
promotions, member services, legislative advocacy and self-enforcement
programs.
Some of SFMA's Major Accomplishments
- Historically supported the development of farmers' markets located
in low-income communities.
- Changed the Los Angeles County Health Department policy to allow
product sampling at Certified Farmers' Markets. Helped change the state
health code to allow sampling in all counties.
- Assisted in drafting legislation to allow bakers and food vendors
at farmers' markets.
- Cosponsored, with California Department of Food and Agriculture,
market manager training on crop quality and enforcement methods.
- Increased farmer sales through the development and support of innovative
projects including the Market Basket Program, McKinley School Farmers'
Market Salad Bar, and other projects.
- Convinced the Health Department to allow processed products to be
sold at farmers' markets allowing farmers with fruit and juice to sell
both products in the market.
- Advocated for the expansion of the WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition
Program (FMNP) providing coupons for low-income shoppers.
- Drafted and supported legislation creating fines for buying and selling
other farmers' produce. Farmers caught can be fined up to $1,000 and
suspended from selling in the markets.
- Developed alternatives to the state appeal process for farmers. The
proposals included mediation and arbitration as a first step instead
of civil court.
- Worked to get City of LA funds to support three new farmers' markets
in under-served Los Angeles.
- Supported and drafted legislation requiring more farm and market
inspections.
- Drafted and successfully lobbied for legislation so farmers are only
required to pay for scale registration in one county, saving farmers
money.
- Convinced the Health Department to license each farmers' market instead
of each individual farmer, saving farmers money.
At a Southland Farmers' Market, you are assured that you
are purchasing quality produce from certified local growers
and producers. Southland Farmers' Market Association serves
member markets, local California farmers and consumers by
promoting and protecting the integrity of certified farmers'
markets in Southern California.
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Photos by David Karp
© 2002 Southland Farmers Markets Association
All Rights Reserved.
Website design and development by
Organic-Design.net
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