Fort

Wor

th C

ode

Com

plia

nce

Fort

Wor

th C

ode

Com

plia

nce

Farmers Market Ordinance Revision Proposal

Pre-Council Presentation March 5, 2013

Brandon Scott Bennett, Director

1

Fort

Wor

th C

ode

Com

plia

nce

Purpose

• Current Farmers Market Rules • Industry Inquiries & National Trends • Proposed Changes • Questions/Comments

2

Fort

Wor

th C

ode

Com

plia

nce

Current Rules • Definition - An outdoor,

open-air, operation of more than 14 days but less than 180 days vending whole fresh produce

• Health Permit Required

• Location must meet local Health & Zoning rules

• Only Whole Fruits and Produce allowed for sale and distribution

3

Fort

Wor

th C

ode

Com

plia

nce

Farmers Market Locations

1. North Central Texas Farmers Market – 3821 Southwest Blvd.

2. Cowtown Farmers Market – 1000 Throckmorton St.

3. Tarrant County Public Health Farmers Market – 1101 S. Main St.

4. Southside Urban Farmers Market – 106 E. Daggett Ave.

4

Fort

Wor

th C

ode

Com

plia

nce

Stakeholder Meetings

• Facilitated meetings with area operators

• Requested greater variety of food products allowed for sale

• National Trends in urban environments

• Trends in other large Texas cities

5

Fort

Wor

th C

ode

Com

plia

nce

Proposed Changes • Expand the food products

allowed for sale: Frozen meats, dairy products, yard eggs, baked goods

• Apply existing Federal & State guidelines to ensure food safety: Source of food, labeling, packaging, temperature controls

6

Fort

Wor

th C

ode

Com

plia

nce

Proposed Changes

• Implement permitting proceedings to ensure conformity with State and City codes:

Additional Farmers Market Food Vendor Permit required (same cost as seasonal permit $175; valid for one year) for sale of any farm-related potentially hazardous foods

7

Fort

Wor

th C

ode

Com

plia

nce

Proposed Changes

• Continue to prohibit the resale of food products obtained from retail and wholesale stores

• Continue the ban on the sale of certain food products; Raw fish and seafood

8

Fort

Wor

th C

ode

Com

plia

nce

Summary

• Expand food products allowed for sale at farmers markets

• Maintain adequate food protection safeguards

• Support national trends recognizing the value of farmers markets

• Maintain consistency with other large Texas cities

• Farmers Market stakeholders support this ordinance revision

• Present Ordinance for approval on March 19, 2013

9

Fort

Wor

th C

ode

Com

plia

nce

10