07/17/2026
Have you ever wondered if the produce sold in CA Certified Farmers’ Markets (CFMs) is actually local? If so you might like to know this:
The CA Department of Ag visits every farm selling in CFMs, and they list every crop, in every variety, that the farmer grows.
They also visit every farmers’ market—regularly—to check that farmers’ are only selling produce they’re “certified” to grow.
If a farmer gets caught selling produce they didn’t grow, they are banned from all markets in the state.
We once saw a farmer get scolded for selling edible weeds! He argued that EVERY organic farm had purslane and lambs quarters between their rows. The agent made him list the weeds on his certification!
CA Certified Farmers’ Market are the real deal. And yes, local matters.
