A Certified Farmers’ Market (CFM), as defined in the CA Health and Safety Code (CALCODE) section 113789, is a retail food facility and requires an Alameda County Health, Environmental Health Department (ACEHD) permit to operate (CALCODE section 114387). CFM operators and Certified Producers must comply with Direct Marketing laws and regulations established by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA). Once a CFM Certificate is obtained from the California Department of Food and Agriculture, contact our office at dehmobilefood@acgov.org and submit a service request to permit a new CFM for certified producers (farmers). An inspector will contact you for more information.

A CFM may organize and sponsor a community event.  A community event is a retail food facility defined by CALCODE section 113789 and requires compliance with the ACEHD sponsor permit.  A sponsored community event allows the sale of food via a temporary food facility or an approved mobile food facility.  The application for the sponsor permit is available here: Temporary Event Sponsor Application.

To prepare and sell food during a CFM, you must apply for a Temporary Food Facility (booth) permit after the CFM event sponsor has included you on their vendor list: TFF Application. A temporary food facility (TFF) permit holder may store, prepare, cook, assemble, package, and sell food items as allowed by CALCODE.  Food preparation prior to the CFM opening for business must be conducted within a permitted commercial kitchen. The form found at the link below is required if you are using a commercial kitchen as required: Part D Commissary Agreement for inside and outside Alameda County.

During a CFM, to display and sell food products with no additional preparation at the CFM, the applicant must complete and submit the application found at the link provided here: Mobile Food Facility Application. Check “BOX D” and follow the instructions for “BOX D.” This annual permit is restricted to display and sales only during CFM’s (CALCODE section 114371). Some examples of food items that may qualify for the annual permit are cottage food products, dips, dressings, dry goods, oils, meats, fish, cheese, salsa, granola, and baked goods. Most of these products require a Processed Food Registration (PFR). You must obtain the PFR prior to applying or renewing for your ACEHD permit: PFR link.

Temporary Food Facility (TFF) Permit Application

A temporary food facility (TFF) permit holder may store, prepare, cook, assemble, package, and sell food items as allowed by CALCODE. Learn more here.