On January 1, a new state law took effect that is intended to ease regulations on farm stands and make it easier for farmers to sell directly to consumers. It includes a number of changes to state law, all of which encourage sales of California-grown fresh fruits, nuts and vegetables, and makeit easier for farmers to sell their products locally.
Assembly Bill 2168, authored by Assemblymember Dave Jones, authorizes the California Department of Food and Agriculture to issue regulations to encourage the direct sale by farmers to the public of all types of California agricultural products.
Previously, the law treated farm stand operations similar to retail stores, requiring water and sewer connections that are impractical and cost-prohibitive. This law treats farm stands similar to farmers markets, and creates farm stands as a new class of food facility.
Previously, farm stands could not sell bottled water, soft drinks, or prepackaged or processed agricultural products (such as dried fruit or pies). This law allows farm stands to sell these products, given they are prepared and packaged in an approved facility. Farm stands are also allowed to prepare food for sampling on-site, and if they do so must provide restrooms.