Farmers’ Market License Requirements

 


 Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry

Quality Assurance and Regulations

(207) 287-3841

Farmers’ Market License Requirements

Mobile Vendor License: Required for off-premise sale of food from an approved source*. (No on-site food preparation is allowed under this license.)

  • Maine-grown unprocessed produce vendors do NOT need a mobile vendor license.
  • Egg producers with fewer than 3,000 layers do NOT need a mobile vendor license.
  • Everyone else selling food needs a Mobile Vendor License.
  • Food preparation is NOT permitted with this license (i.e. you must first become licensed to prepare food, then get this license to be allowed to sell to the public)

*Prepared food sold to the public must be prepared by an approved source. An approved source would have one or more of the following licenses:

  • Home Food Processing (also called a “licensed home kitchen”)
  • Commercial Food Processing (“commercial kitchen”)
  • Retail License with prepared food authorizations
  • Maine Milk Distributors License/Frozen Dessert Manufacturer
  • Less than 1000 bird exemption registration

Vendors wishing to prepare or serve food on site must obtain a license from the Department of Health and Human Services Health Inspection Program (HIP). Read more here.

DACF Quality Assurance and Regulations does not regulate skin care products and lip balms, candles, seedlings, bedding plants.  All balms and lotions fall under the FDA jurisdiction – 207.622.8268 for questions, and see this page for more information. 

Home Food and Commercial Food Processors are permitted to manufacture and sell only those foods for which they have received authorization.  For example; a processor approved for bakery items may not sell pickles. (Acidified foods such as pickles, relishes and sauces require a process review by the University of Maine)

All licenses can be obtained from the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, Quality Assurance     and Regulations.  A license application can be requested by calling 207.287.3841 or downloaded: http://www.maine.gov/dacf/qar/permits_and_licenses/application_forms.shtml.

Packaged Food: All packaged food must be labeled to include: common name of food, list of ingredients, allergen statement,  name and address of manufacturer, declare weight/volume.

  • The common name of food is that name which is most recognizable by the consumer.
  • List ALL ingredients including those found in a commercially prepared ingredient such as shortening, peanut butter, chocolate chips.  There may be allergens contained in those products as well as ingredients with a high frequency of sensitivity such as MSG, sulfites and food dyes. Example: Flour, sugar, peanut butter (roasted peanuts, sugar, palm oil and salt), etc.
  • Allergen Statement:  On the line below the ingredients include the allergen statement: Contains: then list any allergens from the big eight (Wheat, soy, milk, egg, peanuts, tree nuts, fish and shellfish). List each tree nut by name (walnut, almond, pecan etc.).  List each fish and/or shellfish by common name, or embolden allergen name in the ingredient list; flour (Wheat), butter (Milk), sugar, eggs, etc.
  • Address:  Must include street, number and zip code.  If your business is listed in a phone directory you are permitted to list just the city, state and zip code.

Unpackaged Food:

  • Must be protected from contamination: covered or in a display case
  • Hand washing supplies MUST be available.  
  • Gloves or sanitary papers must be used.
  • NO BARE HAND CONTACT WITH FOOD.

Hand Washing Requirements

Mobile Hand washing supplies include:           

  • 100ºF Hot water
  • Soap
  • Paper Towels
  • Waste receptacle
  • Hot water can be transported to the market in an insulated drink cooler (spigot is located along the bottom of the cooler).

Any vendor handling unpackaged food, even samples, must bring hand washing supplies.  Hand washing supplies may be shared between neighbor vendors if conveniently located so both vendors have easy access.


Potentially Hazardous Foods

  • Packaged hot and cold foods from an approved source (commercial processing or retail) may be sold at markets.

Coffee, ice tea, lemonade etc. may be prepared in the licensed food facility and then brought to the market in self-serve vessels. (To make and serve coffee, tea, etc. at the farmers’ market requires a license from the Depr. of Health.)  A Vendor is not permitted to serve the customer under the DACF Mobile Vending license. (Only self-service is allowed.)

  • Foods requiring refrigeration must be held under refrigerated conditions during the market.  This may be accomplished using a cooler and ice or chemical ice packs.  Cooler must keep food at 41ºF or below.  ALL coolers must have a thermometer so cooler temperature can be monitored.
  • Packaged hot foods must be held at 135ºF or a log must be maintained indicating the time and temperature of the food when leaving the licensed commercial food or retail establishment and the time the food was sold out or destroyed.  If food is NOT held at 135ºF it must be discarded after 4 hours.

Point of Purchase Bulk Sales:Foods sold by weight must be weighed on a Class III scale and have a current Weights and Measures Seal.  Scales tested by Weights and Measure personnel in other states are accepted.  Towns may have a local sealer who can test scales, or towns may use DACF Weights and Measures as their local sealer.  To learn who tests scales in a specific town call DACF at 287-3841


License Types

The DACF Mobile Vending License allows for off-premise sale of food from an approved source*. On-site food preparation is not permitted under this license. Vendors wishing to prepare or serve food on site must obtain a license from the Department of Health and Human Services Health Inspection Program (HIP).

Any prepared food sold under a Mobile Vendor/Vending License must be from an approved source, which is from someone with one of the following:

  • Home Food Processing (“licensed home kitchen”)
  • Commercial Food Processing (“commercial kitchen”)
  • Maple Syrup Producer
  • Retail License with prepared food authorizations
  • Maine Milk Distributors License/Frozen Dessert Manufacturer
  • Registration for less than 1000 Bird Exemption

Home Food Processing License: With this license you can produce shelf-stable foods only.  A Home Food License  will specify what foods have been authorized. (For example, a vendor with only a bakery authorization is not considered an ‘approved source’ for pickles.) The process approval from UMaine will identify each product reviewed. Only those products that have received process approval may be sold to consumers. Processors should make process approvals available to Market Managers to allow the Market Manager to verify food is from an ‘approved source’. A Home Food License is required to prepare the following:

  • Bakery goods (no cream fillings)
  • Jams and Jellies: Traditional Jams/Jellies:  Naturally acidic fruits commonly used for jams and jellies containing sugar, pectin and fruit; strawberry, raspberry, blackberry, blueberry or any combination of these berries. When contacting UMaine with a recipe known to be safe, a process review is not necessary.  Vendors should request an email from UMaine stating a recipe is safe.  Reduced sugar jams and jellies require a process review.  UMaine recommends all jams and jellies be submitted for process review to verify that Standards of Identity has been met. Non-traditional jams and jellies and acidified foods must be submitted for a Process Review conducted by a Process Authority (UMaine).
  • Acidified Foods, pickles, relishes, sauces. Non-traditional jams and jellies and acidified foods must be submitted for a Process Review conducted by a Process Authority (see above).
  • Herbs
  • Chocolates and Confections
  • Honey (Note: raw honey in the comb does not require a processing license)

Commercial Food Processing License: Allows for the manufacturing of both shelf-stable and non shelf-stable foods.  License will indicate food(s) the firm is authorized to manufacture.

  • Bakery (breads, rolls, pies, cakes, cookies)
  • Jams, jellies
  • Acidified foods (sauces, pickles, relishes)
  • Dehydrated foods
  • Chocolates and confections
  • Beer, wine, distillery product
  • Seafood, lobster (commercial food processing license is required for those selling processed seafood; it is not required for selling whole fish/lobsters; see below)
  • Processed fruit/produce

Maple Syrup Producer License: This license approves the producer for maple syrup only. Value added maple products such as maple candy requires either a Home Food or Commercial Food Manufacturing License.

Retail License: This license allows for the manufacturing of both shelf-stable and non shelf-stable foods with the proper authorizations:

  • Cold foods prepared on site
  • Bakery items prepared on site
  • Hot foods prepared on site
  • Coffee/tea prepared on site

A retail license with only a prepackaged food authorization would NOT be an approved source for any food manufactured at the retail location.  Check authorizations.

Nursery License: Anyone selling plants must have a nursery license from the DACF. The cost is $5/year for small growers, and $25/year for all others. Find information and apply online here. Seedlings and bedding plants are regulated by Animal and Plant Health. Call them with questions: 207.287.3891.

Beer, wine, spirits Mobile Vendor: Will also need a retail license from Liquor Enforcement. Contact number for Liquor Enforcement is 207.624.7220. Learn more here.

Meat and Poultry:All meat and poultry vendors must have a retail meat license. All red meat must be processed under inspection. Vendors selling Poultry that was NOT processed under inspection will operate under:

  • Commercial Processor License
  • Registration for Less Than 1000 Bird Exemption
  • Game meats and meat marked Not For Sale may not be offered for sale.

Maine Milk Distributors License/Frozen Dessert Manufacturer:Any dairy-based food produced or manufactured by the vendor requires this license.  Examples of such products:

  • Milk
  • Cheese
  • Yogurt
  • Ice Cream

Seafood

Retail Seafood License: Seafood vendors need to work with the Department of Marine Resourcesand the Departments of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry.  The DMR ensures that the fish was caught and processed properly, and the DACF makes sure it is handled safely at the point of sale. Learn more about licensing: Department of Marine Resources. The DMR contact number is 207.624.6550

  • Seafood being sold whole by the harvester does not require a license (the harvester/fisherman’s commercial license allows selling directly to consumers, but only the species specifically covered in that person’s commercial fishing license).
  • Retailing seafood that was caught by someone else requires a Mobile Vendor License from the DACF AND a Retail Seafood License from the Department of Marine Resources. The license is $100 per site. (A vendor may retail fish from multiple harvesters under that Retail Seafood License, but must have a separate license for each site. The license is site-specific, so a vendor in 3 markets will have 3 separate licenses) The Retail Seafood License includes reporting requirements.
  • Vendors selling processed, packaged fish from a dealer require a Mobile Vendor License from the DACF, but do not need a Retail Seafood License (and therefore don’t have to submit reports to the DMR)
  • Lobster meat requires a Lobster Meat permit.
  • Anyone selling fish by the pound must have a scale licensed by the Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry.
  • OYSTERS: Below are the two ways to sell oysters at farmers’ markets (and the required licenses).  You can do this either as a 1.  certified shellfish dealer or as 2.  a retailer that puts their shellfish thru a certified dealer and buys it back with the dealer tags attached (see below).


MARKET RULES – What is required by the DACF at the point of sale

  • All food must be prepared at the licensed facility – (No food preparation at Markets under DACF MV License)
  • Refrigerated foods must be maintained at 41ºF or below
  • All packaged food must be adequately labeled
  • All unpackaged food must be adequately protected from contamination
  • All vendors handling unpackaged food, even samples must bring hand washing supplies         

Refrigerated Foods: Refrigerated foods must be maintained at 41ºF or below

  • Each cooler must have a thermometer to allow the vendor to verify refrigerated conditions.
  • Ice or chemical ice packs may be used.
  • If ice is used as a coolant the food must be packaged so not to come in direct contact with the ice.
  • Ice should be from an approved source; do not use snow.
  • Eggs must be refrigerated.

Labeling

Labeling: Identify food with its common name (easily recognized by the customer)

  • List of ingredients: Identify all ingredients including those used to manufacture a commercially prepared ingredient such as:
    • Peanut Butter, Mayonnaise, Chocolate Chips, Chocolate, Shortening etc. Such ingredients may contain allergens or ingredients known to have a high sensitivity.
  • Allergens
    • May be declared in the body of the ingredient list by embolden print and clearly stating the allergen. Example:  Flour (wheat), butter (Milk) etc. Allergens may also be declared with an allergen statement immediately following the ingredient list:  Contains: Wheat and milk. Big 8 Allergens are: Wheat, Soy, Egg, Milk, Peanuts, Tree nuts (list nut by common name: almond, walnut etc.), Fish (list by common name: haddock, salmon etc.) and Shellfish (list by common name: lobster, crab etc.).   
  • Name and address of manufacturer/processor. Must provide a physical address with zip code to include street name and number if business name is not listed in a phone directory. Websites and PO Boxes are NOT considered a physical address.
  • Declare weight/volume

Specialized labeling requirements:

  • Acidified Foods: Must indicate a lot ID on each container.  Lot ID is required by the FDA for interstate commerce. Can be found on the label, separate sticker etc.
  • Maple Syrup: Must be labeled to include GRADE.
  • Eggs: Name & address of packer, Grade, Size, Weight or count, Keep Refrigerated. If packed in used cartons the USDA shield and the high grade declarations must be obliterated.
  • Apples: If sold bulk or in open packages or containers identify the variety and grade.
  • Potatoes: Bulk or in open packages or containers when price/lb. is quoted on displays, commodity name must be marked – Example: Russet Potatoes. Grade (suggested). Closed packages or containers must be labeled with: Name and address of person responsible for packing, Grade, Net Weight, and the word ‘Potatoes’.

Closed packages or containers must be labeled with: Name and address of owner or shipper at time of packaging, variety, class or grade, minimum size or numerical count/volume of the apples in the container and if the apples were grown in Maine, that fact must be clearly stated.

Poultry:

  • Less than 1000 bird exemption (DACF Registration Application)
    • The name of the farm, the name of the poultry producer and the address of the farm including the zip code;
    • The statement “Exempt under the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 22, section 2517-C NOT INSPECTED”; and
    • Safe handling and cooking instructions as follows: “SAFE HANDLING INSTRUCTIONS: Keep refrigerated or frozen. Thaw in refrigerator or microwave. Keep raw poultry separate from other foods. Wash working surfaces, including cutting boards, utensils and hands, after touching raw poultry. Cook thoroughly to an internal temperature of at least 165° Fahrenheit maintained for at least 15 seconds. Keep hot foods hot. Refrigerate leftovers immediately or discard.”
  • Exemption for processing under 20,000 birds (commercial license)
    • Producer’s name, address and zip code
    • Common name of product and list of ingredients
    • Weight of product in shipping container or immediate container
    • Lot number, which must consist of a coded number in some combination of the number of the day of the year on which the poultry was slaughtered;
    • The statement “Exempt P.L. 90-492”; and
    • Safe handling and cooking instructions as follows: “SAFE HANDLING INSTRUCTIONS: Keep refrigerated or frozen. Thaw in refrigerator or microwave. Keep raw poultry separate from other foods. Wash working surfaces, including cutting boards, utensils and hands, after touching raw poultry. Cook thoroughly to an internal temperature of at least 165° Fahrenheit maintained for at least 15 seconds. Keep hot foods hot. Refrigerate leftovers immediately or discard.”

Red Meat: (Beef, Pork, Lamb, Goat etc.) must be processed under inspection and must have a ‘mark of inspection’ on the label.  May be USDA or Maine State Inspected. Any meat marked as ‘Not For Sale’ has not been processed under inspection and is NOT considered from an approved source.

HELPFUL RESOURCE: Best practices for cold storage of meat at farmers’ markets.


Unpackaged food must be protected from contamination:

  • Possible contaminants include:
  • Customers: Customers handling food may not have adequate hand washing practices.
    • Norovirus; oral/fecal transmission
  • Flies: Vomit before eating
  • Birds: Fecal bombs
  • There must be some type of barrier between unpackaged food and potential contaminants
    • Display case
    • Covered container
    • Clear plastic drape
  • Hand washing Supplies: Required by any vendor handling unpackaged food including free samples.
    • Insulated drink cooler with spigot containing 100ºF water
    • Soap
    • Paper Towels
    • Waste receptacle to catch waste water
    • Hot water can be transported to the market in an insulated drink cooler (spigot is located along the bottom of the cooler)
  • Washing Hands
    • After setting up table, hands must be washed before handling unpackaged food.
    • Setting out samples
    • Placing bakery items in a display case
  • No bare hand contact with unpackaged food
    • Gloves
    • Sanitary paper
    • Tongs

No food may be prepared at a market under a DACF Mobile Vending license: Hot or cold foods may be prepared, packaged and labeled at the commercial kitchen or retail facility and brought to the market as a grab-and-go food.

  • Hot grab-and-go foods must be held at 135ºF or above at the market or destroyed after 4 hours (meals, pizza, soups etc.). If hot grab-and-go food is not going to be held at 135ºF the vendor must have a log indicating the time the food was packed up for the market. The vendor has 4 hours from the time the food was packed up to ‘use it or lose it’. Vendors attempting to maintain 135F must monitor the food temperature upon arrival at the market and again in 1 hour if the market runs longer than 4 hours.  This log must be made available when requested.
  • Market managers should be checking for logs as well as checking that expired food is removed from sale.
  • Cold grab-and-go foods must be held at 41ºF or below at the market or destroyed after 4 hours (sandwiches, salads etc.)
  • If cold grab-and-go food is not going to be held at or below 41ºF the vendor must have a log indicating the time the food was packed up for the market. The vendor has 4 hours from the time the food was packed up to ‘use it or lose it’. Vendors attempting to maintain grab-and-go food at 41ºF must monitor the food upon arrival at the market and again in 1 hour if the market runs longer than 4 hours.  This log must be made available when requested.
  • Vendors selling grab-and-go food under refrigerated or heated conditions must have a thermometer to monitor food temperatures.
    • Sanitize thermometer
    • Monitor hourly
    • Maintain a record of food temperatures
    • Destroy after 4 hours if food temperatures fall into the danger zone of 42ºF to 134ºF.
    • Thermometer must be present in the cooler or heated case
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DACF License Requirements