Help Us Preserve the 2012 Farmers' Market Ordinance!

In 2012 we were successful, with your help, in getting a St. Louis County Farmers' Market Ordinance passed. This provided fair permitting fees, exemptions for Missouri Farmers per State Law, and standardized food safety & sanitation codes for our Markets. 

Because of this Ordinance, St Louis County Farmers' Markets enjoyed great success in the area of Food Safety and Sanitation. Sales improved for vendors because they were able to sample their products without being over-burdened with extra fees. 

Also, due to this Ordinance, St. Louis County became compliant with Missouri State Law which exempts our small farms from fees and taxation. And relations improved between farmers' markets stakeholders and their inspectors, because everyone knew what to expect--guidelines were applied fairly and appropriately at all county markets.

This year the Department of Health, under new management, is trying to change a section of the FM Ordinance. This change is completely unnecessary and we need your help to stop it. The new manager wants every Farmers' Market Food Vendor who samples unprepackaged products to install a hand-washing station in their booths. 

For over 30 years in Kirkwood, 12 in Clayton and 10 in Ferguson, Farmer's Markets have provided hand-washing facilities or stations for their patrons and vendors. This practice was adopted in the official FM Food Code in 2012 because it worked! STL Co Farmers' Markets have excellent sanitation records regarding hand-washing.

The new DOH Management wants to require all vendors who sample food on site to provide hand-washing stations in their booths. Even our dear Honey Lady, Joy Stinger, who has been sampling her honey for more years than most of us have been going to markets, will be required to do this--if we don't protest and stop it. 

For Joy and other Farmers Market Vendors this will be a burden, causing hours of extra work. It's unnecessary and it discriminates against Farmers' Market Food Vendors. The Department of Health allows Independent Food Vendors to operate in Malls and Grocery Stores with only hand-sanitizing liquid or wipes near them as long as hand washing facilities are within 50 feet of their booths or stalls.

You can help by writing to STL County Executive Charlie Dooley and your STL County Council Person and tell them you want to Preserve the 2012 Farmers' Market Ordinance! Tell them to stop the discrimination against Farmers' Markets. Please Contact Them Today! 

Their contact info is provided below.St Louis County Contact Information:  

• Exective Charlie Dooley, cdooley@stlouisco.com; Phone: 314-615-7016
• Greg Quinn 7th Dist, GQuinn@stlouisco.com; Phone:  (314) 615-5443
• Steve Stinger 6th Dist, SStenger@stlouisco.com; Phone: (314) 615-5442
• Pat Dolan 7th Dist, PDolan@stlouisco.com; Phone: (314) 615-5441
• Hazel Erby 1st Dist, HErby@stlouisco.com; Phone: (314) 615-5436 
• Colleen Wasinger, 3rd Dist CWasinger@stlouisco.com Phone: (314) 615-5438
• Kathryn Burkett, 2nd Dist  KBurkett@stlouisco.com; Phone: (314) 615-5437
• Michael Omara, 4th Dist MOmara@stlouisco.com; Phone:  (314) 615-5439

Thanks so much for your support. We couldn't do this without you. 

We look forward to seeing you at a St. Louis County Farmers' Market.