An Alberta approved farmers’ market is one that has been approved by Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development (ARD) and as such meets the requirements of the program guidelines that have been approved by the Minister. Approved markets are sponsored by a not-for-profit community group, local Chamber of Commerce, municipality or agricultural society or forming their own not-for profit society under the Societies Act and operate under the direction of an advisory body or board of directors depending on the nature of the sponsoring body. 80 per cent (80%) of the vendors meet the “make it, bake it, grow it” criteria; the remaining 20 per cent (20%) of the vendors are selling products that complement the market mix and the sale of any used good or flea market products are prohibited.

A public market is generally one that is privately owned and includes all types of operations including flea markets. As a public market, each food vendor must have an individual food establishment permit and be operating in a health approved facility. Some municipalities also have bylaws that are applied to public markets. Most municipalities require each vendor at a public market to have a business or peddler’s license, whereas often only a single license is required for the approved farmers’ market because of its non-profit status. A public market does not receive any of the above noted benefits enjoyed by an approved farmers’ market.

For more information including how to start a new market, visit Agriculture and Rural Development.

Yes, the Alberta Food Safety Basics for Farmers’ Markets is a requirement.  Although administered by Alberta Health Services, this course is required by Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development of all food and agricultural vendors selling a food product.  The certificate must be displayed in the vendor’s booth.  If the vendor has completed one of the other approved sanitation and hygiene courses, they are not required to take this home study course.    If you have further questions please contact the Environmental Public Health office at 1-833-476-4743.

Please note: to qualify for vendor insurance you must be a member of AFMA who sells at an Approved Alberta Farmers’ Market.

Currently it is not mandatory although many markets do require it. Great rates on insurance are one of the benefits of membership. To take advantage of this rate you must have a valid AFMA membership.

Some information on the importance of our insurance:

Insurance is all about risk sharing. With no insurance the risk is all with you.

When a person’s actions result in an injury or damage to others, the law generally provides that the insured be held financially responsible. An example of this could be that you are a vendor and you have a tent set up outside at a market.  There is a terrible windstorm and the tent (which you had anchored down) blows away and hurts someone or damages a vehicle you would be responsible for the damages to the person or the vehicle as you are the owner of the tent.   If you had insurance your liability insurance would cover the loss. If you had no insurance you would have to pay for the damage out of pocket. This could be a small claim or a large one and if you did not have insurance your assets could be depleted to cover the costs of the lawsuit.

For a small premium you would have the peace of mind . 

Vendor Insurance

Watch this short video to see just how easy it is!

For more information about full year vendor insurance, please contact:

Western Express Business Team
Toll Free Phone: 1 866 245 2780
Email: abfarmers.market@westernfg.ca

Market Insurance

Jason Arden CLU, CHS Financial Advisor
Jason Arden and Associates Ltd
Mutual Fund Investment Specialist
Co-operators

Jason_Arden@cooperators.ca
#3 2803 50 Ave, Lloydminster, SK, S9V 2A8,
Tel: 306-825-2544 Toll Free Claims: 1-877-682-8246

www.cooperators.ca

All Alberta Approved Markets are welcome and encouraged to take out membership.

All vendors who vend at least one Alberta Approved Market are eligible for membership.

All memberships are processed on a “first come, first served” basis and may take anywhere from 3 to 14 days to process.  Confirmation of all approved AFMA memberships are emailed out once processing has been completed.

Click here for the most updated list of Alberta Approved Markets.

Please see Become a Member for a full list of member benefits.

FIRST THERE ARE SOME THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW:

An Alberta approved farmers’ market is one that has been approved by Alberta Agriculture and Forestry (AF) and as such meets the requirements of the program guidelines (keep in mind these are guidelines not legislation) that have been approved by the Minister.

These include:

• being sponsored by a not-for-profit community group, local Chamber of Commerce, municipality or agricultural society or forming their own not-for profit society under the Societies Act. Privately owned markets are not eligible to operate under the banner of an Alberta approved farmers’ market.
• operate under the direction of an advisory body or board of directors depending on the nature of the sponsoring body. Public markets typically have for-profit ownership and there is no requirement for an advisory body or board of directors in that situation.
• decisions are made at the local level (i.e. boards, managers) which strengthens market rules overall
• 80 per cent (80%) of the vendors are Albertans who meet the “make it, bake it, grow it” criteria; the remaining 20 per cent (20%) of the vendors are selling products that complement the market mix;
• sale of any used good or flea market products are prohibited;
• must operate for no less than ten (10) days per year and for two (2) hours per market day;
• have at least one vendor meeting per year;
• have developed a set of rules which govern the operation of the market.
• A copy of these rules must be made available to AF and all the vendors at the market.
• adhere to the administrative requirements of the program

STEPS ON HOW TO SETTLE A DISAGREEMENT:

1.   Discussion with the person you are having the disagreement with is always the first step!  Most things can be worked out with a calm discussion over coffee. 
2.  Review of the policy and procedures manual or bylaws of the society.  If the market is run by a non-profit society you can get a copy of the bylaws by going to any Registries office and requesting them by using the official name of the Society.  
3.   A written complaint to the society or non-profit board outlining your concerns.  

https://aglc.ca/sites/aglc.ca/files/aglc_files/QA%20-%20Farmers%20Markets.pdf

WHAT ARE THE LABELLING REQUIREMENTS FOR FOOD VENDORS?

All pre-packaged food products, regardless of where they are sold, are subject to the Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act, enforced by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.  All products must be labelled with the following:

• Common name of product
• Net quantity
• List of ingredients in descending order (including food allergens)
• Durable life date, if 90 days or less
• Storage instructions, if required
• Name and address of person making the product (including postal code)
• Allergens
• Nutrition fact table – unless exempt
• Bilingual labelling – unless exempt

It is not sufficient to simply have the ingredient list available.  Ingredients must be part of the product label.

On August 4, 2012, changes to allergen labelling came into effect.  Inspectors from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency did a webinar last June. To view, click here.

Nutrition labelling is not required for most foods sold at farmers’ markets.  However, there are foods which do not receive this exemption regardless of where they are sold. Meat is a common exception.

For more information on food and nutrition labelling as well as exemptions, use Food Labelling for Industry found online. 

For additional information, contact the Canadian Food Inspection Agency:

Calgary: 587-230-2450
Edmonton: 780-395-6700
Grande Prairie: 780-831-0335
Lethbridge: 403-382-3121
Red Deer: 403-340-4204

To have labels made professionally we are pleased to recommend:

Meat is tricky because there are lots of times that it can lose the nutritional labelling exemption. We recommend you talk to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) by calling 780-395-6700 (Edmonton) or 403-292-4650 (Calgary) and explain that you want to speak to a labelling inspector. They will lead you through what needs to be done for your particular case.

The three most significant features of the Canadian cosmetic regulatory system are mandatory notification of all cosmetic products, safety of ingredients and products, and product labelling.  Please consult Health Canada for more information. 

General contact number for province wide Environmental Public Health:  1-833-476-4743

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