CHAPTER 12.5. Farm Stands and Community Food Production [114375. - 114376.5.]

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC 12.5.

in effect

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 114375. Section 114375.

Farm stands shall be in conformity with the definition and provisions of Section 113778.2 and meet all of the following requirements: (a) Food preparation is prohibited at farm stands with the exception of food samples which may only occur if conducted in accordance with paragraphs (1) to (8), inclusive, of subdivision (b) of Section 114371. (b) Approved toilet and handwashing facilities consistent with Article 4 (commencing with Section 113310) of Chapter 11 of Part 6 shall be available for use by farm stand operators or their employees when food sampling is conducted pursuant to subdivision (a). (c) Food sales from farm stands shall be limited to the following: (1) Whole produce and shell eggs as described in paragraph (6) of subdivision (c) of Section 113789. (2) Nonpotentially hazardous prepackaged food products from an approved source that were grown or produced in close proximity to the farm stand and in a manner consistent with the intent of Chapter 10.5 (commencing with Section 47000) of Division 17 of the Food and Agricultural Code. (3) Any nonpotentially hazardous prepackaged food products, including bottled water and soft drinks, from an approved source that has not been grown or produced in close proximity to the farm stand shall be limited to a 50-square-foot storage and sales area. (d) No live animals, birds, or fowl shall be kept or allowed within 20 feet of any area where food is stored or held for sale. This subdivision does not apply to guide dogs, signal dogs, or service dogs when used in the manner specified in Section 54.1 of the Civil Code. (e) All garbage and refuse shall be stored and disposed of in an appropriate manner. (f) All prepackaged processed food products shall meet the applicable requirements provided in Section 113980 and be stored in an approved vermin proof area or container when the farm stand facility is closed.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 114376. Section 114376.

(a) A community food producer may sell or provide whole uncut fruits or vegetables, or unrefrigerated shell eggs, directly to the public, to a permitted food facility, or a cottage food operation if the community food producer meets all of the following requirements: (1) Agricultural products shall be grown or produced in compliance with subdivision (b) of Section 113735. (2) Agricultural products that are packaged shall have the package labeled with the name and address of the community food producer. (3) Conspicuous signage shall be provided in lieu of a product label if the agricultural product is being sold by the community food producer on the site of production. The signage shall include, but not be limited to, the name and address of the community food producer. (4) Best management practices, as described by the Department of Food and Agriculture, regarding small farm food safety guidelines on, but not limited to, safe production, processing, and handling of both nonpotentially hazardous and potentially hazardous foods. (5) Egg production shall be limited to 15 dozen eggs per month. (b) (1) A gleaner may sell or provide whole uncut fruits or vegetables, or unrefrigerated shell eggs, produced by a community food producer directly to the public without registration if the gleaner meets all of the requirements specified in subdivisions (a) and (d). (2) A gleaner may donate whole uncut fruits or vegetables, or unrefrigerated shell eggs, produced by a community food producer to a food bank or food kitchen without registration if it meets both of the following requirements: (A) Best management practices, as described by the Department of Food and Agriculture, regarding small farm food safety guidelines on handling of both nonpotentially hazardous and potentially hazardous foods. (B) Record retention requirements specified in subdivision (d). (c) Unless otherwise authorized by a local ordinance adopted by a local jurisdiction, a local city or county health enforcement office shall not require a community food producer to register with the city or county or meet requirements in addition to those required in subdivisions (a) and (d) if the community food producer meets any of the following conditions: (1) Agricultural products are sold at the outlet or location, including, but not limited to, premises, controlled by the community food producer pursuant to paragraph (6) of subdivision (c) of Section 113789. (2) Agricultural products are donated to a food bank or food kitchen that provides food at no cost to consumers. (3) Agricultural products are sold in a food facility permitted by a federal, state, or local health agency. (d) A community food producer or gleaner that sells or provides whole uncut fruits or vegetables, or unrefrigerated shell eggs, directly to the public pursuant to this section shall retain records related to the sale or provision of the food for 30 days, which shall include the type of food sold and the date of sale. (e) A food bank or food kitchen that receives whole uncut fruits or vegetables, or unrefrigerated shell eggs, donated by a community food producer or gleaner pursuant to this section shall retain records related to the donation of the food for 30 days, which shall include the type of food received, the date of receipt, and the name and contact information of the community food producer or gleaner that donated the food.

Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 114376.5. Section 114376.5.

(a) An enforcement officer, as defined in Section 113774, may enter into and inspect the operations of a community food producer or gleaner in response to a food safety recall or food safety complaint. The enforcement officer may recover reasonable costs associated with an inspection from the community food producer or gleaner. (b) (1) An enforcement officer may issue a community food producer or gleaner a cease and desist order for violations of Section 114376, upon which the community food producer or gleaner shall be prohibited from further sales until the operations of the community food producer or gleaner have been reinspected and cleared by the enforcement officer’s agency. (2) At any time within 15 calendar days after issuance of the cease and desist order, the community food producer or gleaner may request in writing a hearing before a hearing officer to show cause why the prohibition of further sales is not warranted. The hearing shall be held within 15 calendar days of the receipt of a request for a hearing. A failure to request a hearing within 15 calendar days shall be deemed a waiver of the right to a hearing. (c) Violations of Section 114376 shall be subject to the penalties specified in Section 114395.

Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026