ARTICLE 1. General Provisions [47000. - 47003.]

Cal. Food and Agricultural Code - FAC 1.

in effect

Cal. Food and Agricultural Code - FAC § 47000. Section 47000.

The Legislature finds and declares all of the following with regard to the direct marketing of agricultural products: (a) Direct marketing of agricultural products benefits the agricultural community and the consumer by, among other things, providing an alternative method for growers to sell their products while benefiting the consumer by supplying quality produce at reasonable prices. (b) Direct marketing is a good public relations tool for the agricultural industry that brings the farmer face-to-face with consumers and other end users. (c) The direct marketing potential of a wide variety of California-produced agricultural products should be maximized and encouraged. (d) Farm stands allow farmers to sell fresh produce and eggs grown on their farm as well as other food products made with ingredients produced on or near the farm, thus enhancing their income and the local economy. (e) The permitting, regulating, and operating of certified farmers’ markets provide the essential core and foundation for the creation and operation of additional nonagricultural vending activities that are ancillary but contiguous to the certified farmers’ market, thereby providing a larger community event amenity for business districts and additional revenue for the operators of certified farmers’ markets. (f) The department should maintain a direct marketing program and encourage the sale and purchase of California-grown fresh produce and other California-produced agricultural products. (g) It is the intent of the state to promote the purchase and consumption of California-grown produce and to promote access to California-produced agricultural products. Restaurants and nonprofit organizations can assist in bringing California-grown products to all Californians. (h) A regulatory scheme should be developed that provides the flexibility that will make direct marketing a viable marketing system. (i) The department should assist producers in organizing certified farmers’ markets, field retail stands, farm stands, community-supported agriculture, and other forms of direct marketing by providing technical advice on marketing methods and in complying with the regulations that affect direct marketing programs. (j) The department is encouraged to establish an ad hoc advisory committee to assist the department in establishing regulations affecting direct marketing of products and to advise the secretary in all matters pertaining to direct marketing.

Cal. Food and Agricultural Code - FAC § 47000.5. Section 47000.5.

The following definitions apply to this chapter, unless otherwise specified: (a) (1) “Agricultural product” means a fresh or processed product produced in California, including fruits, nuts, vegetables, herbs, mushrooms, dairy, shell eggs, honey, pollen, unprocessed bees wax, propolis, royal jelly, flowers, grains, nursery stock, raw sheared wool, livestock meats, poultry meats, rabbit meats, and fish, including shellfish that is produced under controlled conditions in waters located in California. (2) Products that are characterized as services, arts, crafts, bakery, candies, soaps, balms, perfumes, cosmetics, pottery, clothing, fabrics, pastas, compost, fertilizers, candles, ceramics, foraged foods, and types of wares are not agricultural products for purposes of this chapter. A product that combines an agricultural product with a nonagricultural product or service in a manner that materially increases the purchase price of the product shall disqualify the product from being sold as an agricultural product for purposes of this chapter. (b) “Practice of the agricultural arts” means the undertaking of being predominantly responsible for the decisions and actions encompassing the various phases of producing an agricultural product. The practice of the agricultural arts for fruit, floral, nut, vegetable, and other plant products includes directive or actual responsibility for all the actions of planting, growing, fertilizing, irrigating, cultivating, pest control, and harvesting. The practice of the agricultural arts for agricultural animal products includes directive or actual responsibility for a substantial time of the raising, feeding, veterinary care, and product harvesting. (c) “Producer” means a person, partnership, corporation, or an otherwise legally formed farm or ranch that produces agricultural products by the practice of the agricultural arts upon land that the person or entity owns, rents, leases, sharecrops, or otherwise controls and has the documented legal right to possession. A person or entity that rents, leases, or otherwise acquires the right to possession of property essentially only for or limited to the period of the harvest season of the agricultural products produced on that property shall not be considered a producer under the provisions of this chapter.

Cal. Food and Agricultural Code - FAC § 47001. Section 47001.

(a) The secretary may adopt regulations to encourage the direct sale by farmers to the public of all types of California agricultural products. It is the intent of the Legislature that, in adopting those regulations, the secretary shall endeavor to keep costs incurred by farmers and certified farmers’ market operators to a minimum, recognizing that any administrative costs imposed on farmers and certified farmers’ market operators are generally passed on in the form of increased prices to the public, thus economically benefiting neither the public nor the farmer. (b) In accordance with the intent expressed in subdivision (a), the secretary may adopt regulations clarifying the provisions of this chapter, including the adoption of regulations for maintaining the quality and wholesomeness of the products offered for sale and promoting and fostering honest selling activities for those products. (c) The secretary may enter into a cooperative agreement with a county agricultural commissioner to carry out the provisions of this chapter, including, but not limited to, administration, investigations, inspections, registrations, and assistance pertaining to direct marketing producers and outlets. Compensation under the cooperative agreement shall be paid from assessments and fees collected and deposited pursuant to this chapter and shall provide reimbursement to the county agricultural commissioner for associated costs exclusive of the costs of certification and minimum inspections required pursuant to Section 47020. (d) Upon reasonable suspicion of a violation of Section 890, a certified farmers’ market operator may contract with a county agricultural commissioner for a special onsite field or storage verification inspection of a direct marketing producer selling in a certified farmers’ market operated and controlled by the operator. All contracts and contract fees are subject to the discretion of the county agricultural commissioner in the county where the verification inspections are being requested.

Cal. Food and Agricultural Code - FAC § 47002. Section 47002.

California farmers registered or certified pursuant to this chapter as direct marketing producers may transport for sale and sell California-grown fresh fruits, nuts, and vegetables that they produce, directly to the public, and shall be exempt from size, standard pack, container, and labeling requirements at an outlet or location operated by an individual, organization, or entity that is regulated pursuant to this chapter or is recognized by a regulation adopted pursuant to Section 47001 and is otherwise authorized by local ordinances, subject to the following conditions: (a) All fresh fruits, nuts, and vegetables sold shall comply with the California Code of Regulations governing maturity and quality. (b) No exemption granted by this section supersedes the provisions of federal marketing orders, state marketing orders, or any health and safety laws, regulations, or ordinances. (c) All fresh fruits, nuts, and vegetables sold in closed consumer containers shall be labeled with the name, address, and ZIP Code of the producer, and a declaration of identity and net quantity of the commodity in the package. (d) If a farmer selling produce pursuant to this section implements any exemption to size, standard pack, container, or labeling requirements as provided by this section, those sales may only be conducted as direct sales to any of the following: (1) Consumers who are end users. (2) Individuals, organizations, or entities that subsequently sell the produce directly to end users. (3) Individuals, organizations, or entities that distribute the produce directly to end users at no cost to those end users. (e) A farmer selling produce under paragraph (2) or (3) of subdivision (d) shall provide the individual, organization, or entity a memorandum that lists the identity of the producer, the address of the producer, and the identity and quantity of the produce purchased. A bill of sale or a container label including this information shall meet the requirements of this subdivision.

Cal. Food and Agricultural Code - FAC § 47003. Section 47003.

The secretary may establish qualifications for persons selling products directly to the public whenever the sales involve the use of any exemption granted by this chapter. Certified farmers’ markets and other direct marketing outlets and distributors may likewise be subject to qualifications.

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