Certified Farmers' Markets

New! Apply Online with MyEHS
You can now apply for permits, pay invoices, and manage your permits online using MyEHS.

Payments cannot be made to or accepted by inspectors. Payments must be made in person at the Environmental Health Services office, by mail, by phone at (650) 372-6200, or online through the MyEHS Portal.

A Certified Farmers’ Market (CFM) allows certified producers to sell their agriculture products directly to consumers. A CFM may only be operated by one or more certified producers, by a nonprofit organization, or by a local government agency. Both the market and the certified producers must be certified by the State of California through the County Agricultural Commissioner. There are currently 19 CFMs that operate in the County of San Mateo and each market is permitted and inspected by  San Mateo County Environmental Health Services.

Vendors who would like to sell non-agricultural foods or drinks at a CFM within San Mateo County must obtain a TFF Vendor at CFM permit from San Mateo County Environmental Health Services. Before applying online, vendors must obtain approval by having the Market Manager sign the Certified Farmers’ Market Addendum for each market they wish to attend.

Certified Farmers' Market Guidelines
The Certified Farmers’ Market Addendum can be found at smchealth.org/myehsdocs under the Food Section. 

*PLEASE BE ADVISED – in addition to the TFF Vendor at CFM permit, all CFM vendors must have a valid permit. Vendors who wholesale are exempt from this requirement but must obtain a Processed Food Registration from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH). For more information, please visit the CDPH website.

CERTIFIED FARMERS’ MARKET: TEMPORARY EVENT VENDOR PERMITS (Site Specific):

Risk Category 1  Temporary Food Facility Vendor at Certified Farmers’ Market – No Preparation  

Risk Category 1A Temp Event Vendor – Pre-packaged foods/beverages ONLY (no sampling) 

• Pre-packaged foods only, cold and hot holding allowed 
• No handwash sink required

Risk Category 1B Temp Event Vendor – Pre-packaged foods/beverages (with sampling) 

• Pre-packaged foods only, cold and hot holding allowed
• No onsite mixing, cutting, or food prep allowed
• Bulk dispensing of beverages
• Open foods and drinks allowed
• Handwash sink required
• Sampling must be pre-portioned at an approved food facility

Risk Category 2 Temp Event Vendor – On-site food prep and cooking allowed

• Samples can be prepared on-site
• Booth must be fully enclosed with approved screening 

For current Certified Farmers’ Market permit fees, click here.

HOW TO OBTAIN A CERTIFIED FARMERS’ MARKET VENDOR PERMIT

1. Complete the CFM application through our online portal, MyEHS. 
2. Submit your applications with the permit fee.

MARKET MANAGER / COORDINATOR

How to apply for a New Certified Farmers’ Market:

1. Obtain approval from County of San Mateo Agriculture/Weights & Measures Department.
2. Submit a San Mateo County Environmental Health Services permit application, and the San Mateo County Ag approval and applicable permit fee for the CFM permit at least 2 weeks prior to the event start date. Include a site plan showing locations of producer booths, food booths, toilet facilities, all waste disposal booths, toilet facilities, all waste disposal locations, etc.
3. Ensure food vendors and certified producers have the required permits and/or certifications and follow all food safety requirements.
4. Provide greywater disposal systems and garbage receptacles on-site for TFFs and certified producers.
5. Provide toilet facilities for food vendors and their employees within 200 feet of all Temporary Food Facility and Certified Producer booths.
6. A minimum of one toilet per 15 Temporary Food Facility food handlers is required.
7. Submit your event packet (applications, forms, site plan, list of Mobile Food Facilities, and payment) at least 2 weeks before your event to San Mateo County Environmental Health Services.
8. Provide a list of any Mobile Food Vendors at the market and include the San Mateo County Environmental Health Services permit number. 

For more information or questions regarding CFMs contact:

Joanne Jarin
EHSpecialEvents@smcgov.org
(650) 372-6200