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Too Small?
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Grower
Irene Burkart sells her Giant Fuya persimmons at the Santa
Monica Farmers' certified Market.
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Southland Farmers' Market Association
Why Shop at a Certified Farmers Market
Southland takes pride in the certified that is associated with
its farmers markets. Like other consumers, you may wonder what value a
certified farmers market has to offer. Since not all markets
are certified, it is important to understand the added confidence that
comes from choosing to shop at markets that have that designation.
Do you really know where your fruits and vegetables come from?
Certified products are grown or processed in California by the farmer
who sells them to you. Products may not be brought in from another state
or imported from outside the country. You wont be able to find pineapples
or mangos at a certified market, however, California-grown sub-tropical
fruits as they come into season can be very tasty: persimmons, Asian pears,
and more. You wont find all varieties of produce year-round
only when theyre in season locally.
To ensure fresh and healthy produce, there are strict guidelines
the growers must follow to be certified. Each grower must obtain a certificate,
issued only after inspection by the California Department of Food and
Agriculture, which must be presented to the market manager. It specifically
lists the produce the farmer is growing. The state ensures that quality
control and health standards are maintained in fruits, vegetables, eggs
or any other food products that are offered for direct sale to consumers.
Knowing where your food comes from is important, but ultimately
its freshness and taste that count. Since produce can lose nutritional
value and flavor after being picked, the best way to get the freshest
produce is to shop at a certified farmers market.
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.
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