Apply to run a certified farmers' market

1. Get certified by the state

You need a state agriculture certificate before you can open a farmers’ market.

Apply online through the California Department of Food and Agriculture.

2. Start your permit application.

Apply online.

3. Invite other vendors to join your market

After your market plan is approved by the health department, you can invite other food vendors to join.

Vendors who will make food onsite are considered "temporary food facilities." To have them join, you must:

• Have them fill out a temporary food facility concessionaire application
• Fill out your own sponsor application (first quarter only)
• Include an updated list of all your vendors (including agriculture, retail food vendors, and temporary food facility vendors)
• Include your updated site map, showing where all vendors and restrooms are located
• Pay fee using the farmers' market fee worksheet

4. Submit at least 14 days before every quarter

We only need your sponsor application for the first quarter. Include all vendor applications.

For every other quarter, include only new vendor applications when you send us your documents.

1. Get approved by the market where you want to sell your food

You need to get approved by the manager of the specific market you are interested in.

You should already have a market in mind. Follow the process with that market to get approved as a vendor.

2. Fill out a retail food vendor application

Start your application.

This permit renews each year. You will get a tax bill each year you participate.

1. Get approved by the market where you want to sell your food

You need to get approved by the manager of the specific market you are interested in.

You should already have a market in mind. Follow the process with that market to get approved as a vendor.

2. Apply for a temporary food facility permit

The market manager will give you the health application you need to prepare food onsite at the farmers' market.

Temporary food facility application

3. Return materials to the market manager

Give your completed forms to the manager of the farmers' market where you are applying.

They are responsible for making sure all required documentation is accounted for, and will submit it to the health department.

1. Get approved by the market

You need to get an approval letter from the market manager of the specific Certified Farmers' Market you're interested in joining.

You should already have a mobile food facility permit in San Francisco.

2. Fill out your concession application

You'll send the following form to the health department along with other documents outlined in the next step:

Mobile food facility concession application

3. Submit all documentation to the health department

Gather the following:

• Completed concession application from step 2
• Approval letter from the market manager
• Copy of your health permit to operate
• Copy of your food safety manager certificate

Email your documents to:

Amelia Castelli
Senior Environmental Health Inspector
amelia.castelli@sfdph.org