Farmer's Market

Summary

Farmer’s Market- means a marketplace which operates seasonally, principally as a common market for Iowa-produced farm products on a retail basis for consumption elsewhere.

  • Farmer’s market potentially hazardous food license- means a license for a temporary food establishment that sells potentially hazardous foods at farmer’s markets. A separate annual farmer’s market potentially hazardous food license is required for each county in which the licensee sells potentially hazardous foods at farmer’s markets. The license is only applicable at farmer’s markets and is not required in order to sell wholesome, fresh shell eggs to consumer customers.

 

Click on the Gray Tabs above for additional information on:

Laws and Regulations
• Iowa Food Code and FDA Food Codes

Basic Requirements
• Information on the basic requirements for preparing and selling temperature controlled (for safety) food at a Farmer’s Market in the State of Iowa

Licensing
• Farmer’s Market food license application

Food Manager Resources
• Guidance documents for running your Farmer’s Market prepared food stand

Basic Requirements

When is a Farmers Market Food Establishment License needed:

What are the requirements to operate a licensed food stand at a Farmers Market

Licensing

  • A Farmer's Market Food Establishment License must be obtained from the appropriate Regulatory Authority.

  • A Farmer’s Market Food Establishment License is an annual license that is valid in the County for which it was issued during market times only.   A separate license application must be submitted for each County where a vendor will operate a Farmer’s Market Food Establishment.

  • Persons who operate simultaneously at more than one location within a county are required to have a separate license for each location. 

  • Applications not received at least 30 days prior to operating may not be reviewed.

  • Penalties will be assessed if application is not submitted prior to operating.  Applications not received, processed, and approved prior to operating may require a single event temporary food license until the annual farmers market license is approved and issued.

....................................................................

 Please check the Regulatory Authorities map to determine the appropriate food inspection and licensing agency for your area. 

Only individuals who will be operating a food establishment under the jurisdiction of the Department of Inspections and Appeals (DIA) should submit their license application and corresponding fee(s) to DIA at the address below.  All other applicants should mail their license application and fees to their local regulatory authority.

Refunds

For information on License Application Fee Refunds click here:  IAC 481.30.3(2)

 

If your food establishment is licensed and inspected by the DIA's Food and Consumer Safety Bureau, send your application and fee(s) to the address below:

Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals

Food & Consumer Safety Bureau

Lucas State Office Building

321 East 12th Street

Des Moines, IA 50319-0083